Overview

Lu Chunsheng’s photographs and video work are strongly influenced by his surroundings, but unlike others of his generation such as Zhang Peili, Yang Fudong and Yang Zhenzhong, he does not focus on urban alienation. Instead he documents human behaviour in bizarre situations.

Lu Chunsheng often crosses the boundaries between documentary and fiction in video works such as Before the Appearance of the First Steam Engine (2003). His photographs and videos are strongly influenced by his surroundings and document human behaviour where the characters depicted find themselves in unquestionably unusual situations. There is a surrealist attitude to many of his videos involving performers who act out the scenarios in basic costume with no dialogue; the sets are chosen for their symbolic or evocative importance rather than their actual historical relevance.

Lu Chunsheng was born in 1968 in Changchun, Jilin province, China. He graduated from China National Academy of Fine Arts in the mid 1990s. He has had solo exhibitions at The Red Mansion Foundation, London, England (2008); Paradise Theatre, BizArt Art Center, Shanghai, China (2006); and Platform China Contemporary Art Institute, The Central Academy of Arts, Beijing, China (2006). His work has been included in many group exhibitions, including (I’m Always Touched) By Your Presence, Dear, IMMA (2007-2008), the 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2008); The 10th International Istanbul Biennial, Turkey (2007); The 27th São Paulo Biennial, Brazil (2006); Masculinities, NBK, Berlin, Germany (2005); Le Moine et le demon, Lyon Contemporary Art Museum, France (2004); and China Now, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY (2004). Currently works and lives in Shanghai.