Gao Hang Opens ‘Screen Life Drawing’ at Tang Contemporary Beijing

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Artist Gao Hang, hailing from Houston, returns to China with a strong and impactful exhibition titled “Screen Life Drawing“, marking his first solo show at Tang Contemporary Art’s main office in Beijing.

Initially, his neon figures and simplified shapes may bring to mind the quirky aesthetic of ’90s video game graphics. However, beyond the humorous titles such as “Your Boss” and “Your Boss’s Boss,” or “Two Good Looking Asians,” lies a deep critique of a “virtual identity carnival.” According to the gallery, this depiction represents our contemporary world, where self-improvement is embodied in KPI competitions, and existential purpose has become nearly obsolete.

In “Screen Life Drawing,” the artwork intentionally creates an awkward and visually discordant look. Algorithms are used to transform technical glitches into artistic symbols, while reality as we know it is distorted by digital filters. This disconnect reflects the existential struggle faced by digital natives: their visual experiences have been fundamentally altered by data structures, and the distinction between the real world and the virtual realm has become indistinct, merging into a tumultuous stream of perception mediated by interface interactions.

Instead of simply criticizing reality, the artist dismantles the very essence of criticism itself. In this context, Hang isn’t providing solutions, but rather reflecting our digital selves back at us through a distorted funhouse mirror, making us ponder what remains of “real life” when everything is virtualized.

The exhibition is now on view through June 7.

Tang Contemporary Beijing Headquarters
2 Jiuxianqiao Rd,
Chaoyang, Beijing,
China, 100102

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2025-05-01 22:55