Zhou Wendou (周文斗)

Zhou Wendou was born in Beijing. He attended to the Central Academy of Arts and Design (currently Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University) and graduated in 1996. He then went to the Academy of Fine Arts of Complutense University of Madrid in Spain in 1998 to study painting, from which he graduated in 2003 with a D.E.A.

Zhou Wendou has adopted a humor akin to Duchamp's, with a dedicated focus to social meaning and cultural characteristics. He believes this imbues his artwork with its own special “taste.” When we are confronted with his objects, one instinctively thinks of materiality, but finds unexpected surprises. Zhou Wendou does not simply appropriate, but rather sees the characteristics of culture and function in objects and asks: “does product only have utilitarian value?” Zhou strives to extract “uselessness” and abandon the function of a multitude of objects. He does this to construct new forms and establish new meanings between product, space and context.

The solo exhibitions of Zhou Wendou are: ADHD, de Sarthe Gallery, Hong Kong (2016); Borderless, de Sarthe Gallery, Beijing, China (2015); The Study, Other Gallery, Shanghai, China (2013); The Use of the Useless, Other Gallery, Shanghai, China (2010). His group exhibitions are: Project 2: Hybridizing Earth, Discussing Multitudes – Seventh Busan Biennale, Busan, South Korea (2016); Current Reality, Hidden Barriers, de Sarthe Gallery, Hong Kong (2014); Architecture China - The 100 Contemporary Projects, Reiss Engelhorn Museen (REM), Mannheim, Germany (2012); How To Philosophize With A Hammer, White Box, New York, USA (2011); Suspensions of Disbelief, Other Gallery, Shanghai, China (2010); and Beijing Time - La hora de China, Matadero Contemporary Art Center; Contemporary Creation Center, Madrid, Spain (2009).

Zhou Wendou currently lives and works in Beijing, China.