Lot 205
Yang Yang Mixed Media Drawing of Pig Centaur w/ Crow
Yang Yang Mixed Media Drawing of Pig Centaur w/ Crow
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Yang Yang (Chinese, b. 1953). Pig centaur with crow. Mixed media: ink, watercolor, and paint on paper, n.d. Signed at lower right. A surreal mixed media composition by Yang Yang depicting a pig centaur with the body of a swine and the humanlike face of a child, rendered in ink, watercolor, and paint on paper. The hybrid figure stands boldly in the foreground, its wide-eyed face framed by rosy cheeks and an ambiguous expression that blends innocence with unease. A crow perches on the creature's hindquarters, introducing an additional layer of symbolism that speaks to duality, transformation, and watchfulness. Washes of muted grays and earthy tones create a moody backdrop, punctuated by touches of orange that heighten the tension within the scene. Size of drawing: 11.5" W x 8" H (29.2 cm x 20.3 cm); of frame: 18.25" W x 14.75" H (46.4 cm x 37.5 cm)
Yang Yang is known for his explorations of myth, hybridity, and the liminal space between human and animal. His works often resist simple interpretation, instead inviting viewers into a dreamlike realm where multiple narratives coexist. This painting embodies that vision: the pig centaur, both playful and unsettling, evokes themes of metamorphosis and cultural allegory, while the crow functions as a mediator between the physical and the spiritual. In keeping with Yang's artistic philosophy, the piece poses more questions than answers, offering a multiplicity of stories rather than a single resolution.
About the artist: Born in 1953 in Nanchang, China, Yang Yang grew up in a household grounded in both engineering and education. His father, Yang Ge, was an engineer and his mother, Qi Hua Ling, a teacher. At age sixteen, Yang encountered the painter Zhu Yu Hu, whose influence would remain profound throughout his life. He later described Zhu not merely as an art teacher but as a mentor who shaped both his artistic foundation and his philosophical outlook.
In 1975, Yang graduated from Yichun Teachers College in Jiangxi. He began his teaching career at Xiao Gang High School and later taught at Nanchang Qishanhu School, balancing his duties as a literature instructor with an increasing devotion to art. During this period he also pursued further study at Jiangxi Teachers College, where professors Qixianmu and Zhang Yuanyou left a lasting impact on him - Yang would later call them "soul makers."
In 1984, Yang Yang made a pivotal decision: he left China and moved to the United States to deepen his artistic studies. At Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he earned his Master of Arts degree in 1987 and joined the faculty there as an art instructor. His years in the Midwest proved formative, both academically and artistically, and introduced his works to American audiences for the first time. His early exhibitions gained critical attention, with works featured in publications such as "ArtNews," "Interview Magazine," and "Art & Antiques."
Yang Yang's art is marked by its mythical landscapes where animals and humans coexist in fluid, ambiguous states. His palette often gravitates toward monochromatic tones, layering texture and form to explore humanity in ways that defy racial or ethnic boundaries. His works provoke interpretation rather than provide resolution. As the artist himself has said: "There is no answer. You just have to think about it. If the artist does not tell the story, there will be a thousand stories."
Throughout his career, Yang Yang has exhibited widely across the United States and internationally. He has shown at major institutions such as the Xi'an Art Museum in 2004, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in 2007, and the ShanDong Art Museum in 2014. His work has been collected by notable institutions including the Mobile Museum of Art and continues to appear at international fairs such as Art Basel, Art Palm Beach, Scope Miami, and Art Hamptons.
With more than four decades of work, Yang Yang has cultivated a vision that transcends cultural boundaries. His paintings invite audiences into an illusory world - one where myth, history, and memory intermingle, and where every viewer becomes a storyteller.
Provenance: private Burbank, Illinois, USA collection via inheritance 2024, acquired between 1970s to 2000s
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#196583
- Condition: Mounted behind glass in custom matte and frame with suspension wire on verso for display. Has not been examined outside of glass, but drawing and frame appear to be in excellent overall condition. Signed at lower right.
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