Wang Shaoyi: Shepherds of God

Sugar Free Works is pleased to present the first London solo exhibition of the renowned Chinese artist Wang Shaoyi remarkable painting project ‘Shepherds of God’ based on his 17-year art practice into the wild.

Celebrated painter Wang Shaoyi is one of China’s most talented and expressive painters of nature. In 1994 Wang Shaoyi was inspired by the words from his mentor 'Start from painting the life' and so decided to live and paint inside the Yimeng Moutains - one of the most wild and rural areas in China at that time.

This was where his remarkable artistic project titled 'Shepherds of God' began. No one would have expected that this spontaneous trip to Yimeng would see him leave 17 years later with a remarkable series of paintings that are soon be showcased in London.

The renowned Shandong Gallery in China has twice held solo exhibitions for ‘Shepherds of God’ yet these majestic impressions of nature by Shaoyi have not yet been seen beyond Chinese shores.

The exhibition will bring 20 pieces of the most exclusive paintings from 'Shepherds of God' collection which were carefully selected by the artist for his first international solo showcase in London. Some of the works were created over a decade ago and have never been seen by a public audience, and will be shown in this exhibition for the first time.

As part of the exhibition, a short documentary which Is based on Wang Shaoyi’s 17 years living in Yimeng will be shown together with his astonishing works. Including exlusive interviews with Shaoyi sharing his most unforgettable memories of Yimeng, and very precious footage dating back to the years while he was still working and living in the mountains.

About Wang Shaoyi
Praised by the famous Chinese oil painter Zhang Huaqing, Wang Shaoyi is yet to enjoy the recognition many in the art world feel he deserves.

After retiring from the Chinese Military, in the 1980’s Wang rapidly emerged as one of China’s leading artists. In 1994 he went to Russia studying at Kankarenko International Arts where he found a new understanding of impressionism and expressionism which influenced his future works. In the same year, Shaoyi was inspired by the words from his mentor 'Start from painting the life' and decided to live and paint inside the Yimeng Moutains.

In 2011 Shaoyi left the mountain due to a chronic form of arthritis called Ankylosing spondylitis, which he has been suffering from for 4 decades and still to this day.

Wang Shaoyi’s latest works 'Shepherds of God' has been showcased in China’s renowned art galleries and institutions. His works have also been collected by art institutions in Canada, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, UK and USA, etc.

About Sugar Free Works
Sugar Free Works is a London-based non-profit seeking constitution presenting ongoing programmes including art exhibitions, film productions and events to discover and support talents from both China and the UK.