Jean Jullien’s New NANZUKA Show Tends to the Inner Child in Us All

Summary

Jean Jullien is set to unveil JUJU’s Castle at NANZUKA ART INSTITUTE in Shanghai.
Opening July 12, the exhibition will present over 80 paintings, sculptures, art objects and installations as viewers embark on an immersive, imaginary quest through the depths of Jullien’s pastel maze.

Within a short span of time, French artist Jean Jullien will debut “JUJU’s Castle” at Shanghai’s NANZUKA ART INSTITUTE. This will be his first solo exhibition in China. Blending elements of an art exhibit with a “dungeon crawl,” as per the artist’s description, the event showcases more than 80 new paintings, sculptures, objects, and large-scale installations, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s fanciful realms.

In a maze painted with pastel shades, visitors assume roles in an imaginary adventure, initially choosing one of four unique characters to represent before venturing into the depths of JUJU’s Castle – a magical realm inspired by Jullien’s childhood memories and lifelong fascination with fantasy.

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During his time in Tokyo, these highlighted paintings are deeply influenced by his experiences in the Japanese capital, showcasing bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, the vibrant screens of racing games and intense battles between nights and samurai. Jullien observed that fantasy appears to have infiltrated reality in countless ways here, enriching it, making it more dreamlike. This charmed everyday life seems like a fitting counterpoint to modern living.

Just like all of Jullien’s creations, this show seamlessly combines earnestness, a touch of nostalgia, and an undercurrent of happiness with a deeper theme of peace and escape. The castle concept originated from his childhood explorations of his uncle’s collection of hand-painted RPG miniatures, captivated by the on-screen battles between magic users and dragons – a fantastical sanctuary he’s cherished ever since. “Reflecting on the world’s increasing turmoil, I’ve decided to revisit Juju’s castle once more and invite others to step inside.

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The exhibition will open on July 12 and will remain on view through October 26.

NAZUKA ART INSTITUTE is located on the third floor of Tower 1, in the HuaMu Time Edition complex. Specifically, it’s situated at number 1, Lane 99, South Yanggao Road, within the Pudong New Area of Shanghai.

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