Li Linlin is an artist based in Beijing. She graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in 2016 with a degree in Public Art and Spatial Design, and has been pursuing a Ph.D. in Fine Arts at CAFA since 2023.
Her practice centres on large-scale installations and public art, frequently employing mixed media to explore themes such as the cycle of life and the boundaries between civilisation and primal instinct. Certain works resonate conceptually with Daoist philosophy, advocating a return to simplicity and authenticity. They reflect upon the constraints of civilisation, yearning for the unrestrained essence of life, and emphasise the unity of humanity and nature, where all things interdependently arise. Through theatrical light and shadow, she crafts illusory realms that provoke contemplation of reality and nothingness.
Characterised by topological reconfigurations of matter and space, Li's installations frequently juxtapose industrial components, organic forms and archaeological elements, forging a material poetics of civilisation and ecology. Through conceptual frameworks, she immerses the viewer's body within a theatre of tension and ritual, where memory geology and future ecology intersect.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2024 –
Alaska Cod, Yan Art Space, Beijing2022 –
The Protector, Aimer Art Museum, Beijing2021 –
STILL LIFE (Hong Long Long! Cao Kuang Chang!), Three Art Project, Beijing2021 –
EVERYTHING WILL PASS, M’studio, Beijing2017 –
LALIQUE NOVA ART PRIZE – Solo Exhibition of Li Linlin, Today Art Museum, Beijing
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 –
Out of Unthought – The Second Yuandian Triennial, Yan Art Space, Beijing2024 –
The Age of Human Intelligence – The Third Jinan International Biennale, Shandong Art Museum, Jinan2024 –
Jane Goodall – Tour of Hope, UCCA Lab, Beijing2024 –
A Tribute Exhibition to Outstanding Female Artists, Forbes China, Phoenix Center, Beijing2023 –
Transmutation: The 7th Guangzhou Triennale, Guangdong Art Museum, Guangzhou2023 –
Tiny Steps | Yuan Art Museum Triennial, Yuan Art Museum, Wuqing2022 –
Art is a Thoroughfare – The 1st Wuhan Biennale 2022, Wuhan Art Museum (Hankou Museum), Wuhan2021 –
The 3rd Anren Biennale: New Youth Invited Exhibition, Chengdu2021 –
Space Illusion – China's New Generation Installation Art Exhibition, Yinchuan Contemporary Art Museum, Yinchuan2020 –
Chinese Contemporary Art Yearbook Exhibition 2019, Pingshan Art Museum, Shenzhen2020 –
The Same Zone, Washington and Beijing Twin City Art Project2019 –
Home Dimension, Beijing Times Art Museum, Beijing2019 –
Silent Narrative, Yinchuan Contemporary Art Museum, Yinchuan2018 –
Transition, Yuan Dian Art Museum, Beijing2017 –
The First Anren Biennale, Chengdu2016 –
The Third Nanjing International Art Exhibition (Depression and Supply), Baijia Lake Art Museum, Nanjing2015 –
Spiral Tower: Chinese Young Artists Promotion Exhibition, Times Art Museum, Beijing2015 –
Broken Atlas: The Direction of Image Processing by Chinese Contemporary Artists, Sishang Art Museum, Beijing
Publications & Press
2024 – Feature in
Brooklyn Rail, New York2022 – Works and exhibitions selected for
Yearbook of Chinese Contemporary Art (2022)2019 – Works and exhibitions selected for
Yearbook of Chinese Contemporary Art (2019)Honours and Awards
2020 – 8th Tomorrow Sculpture Award2019 – China (SAP) Art Award: Sculpture and Installation of the Year, Young Artist of the Year, Most Popular Artist of the Year2018 – New Star Art Award2016 – Lalique Youth Art Award2016 – Luo Zhongli Scholarship2015 – Shi Maijia Youth Art Support Program
