Material: Bronze sculpture with colored patina

Dimension: Male (Feng): 56 ¼ x 13 ½ x 15 in

                   Female (Huang): 55 ½ x 16 x 21 ¼ in

Conceived at the time of Xu Bing’s monumental Phoenix Project (2008-2010), showcased in Beijing, Shanghai, New York and at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015, the intricate Bronze Phoenix was meticulously hand-painted and comprises 500 cast and hand-wrought components. 

According to Chinese mythology, the mythological phoenix (fenghuang) is a symbol of harmony whose presence foretells the arrival of prosperity. However, Xu Bing’s Bronze Phoenix adds another layer of meaning. Constructed using shovels, wrenches, and drill bits— tools of the laborer— the Bronze Phoenix captures the ambitious, diverse, and vibrant essence of 21st century China in all its raw energy.

Book from the Ground, a book composed entirely of symbols and icons, is an account of 24 hours in the busy but witty life of Mr. Black (a typical urban white-collar worker). Xu Bing has developed this book into a two-series pop-up book, making this universally readable book more playful and amusing. 

Book from the Ground Pop-up Book - Day (2015)

Dimensions: 24.5 x 35.3 cm

Material: 320g, 250g, and 160g Ganggu white paperboard with non-acid latex

Book from the Ground Pop-up Book - Night (2016)

Dimensions: 24.2 x 35.3 x 4.7 cm

Box Dimensions: 37.4 x 26.3 x 13.1 cm

Material: 128g, 230g specialty paper with non-acid latex

Materials: Natural debris attached to frosted glass panel

2016

Exhibition Location: Al Riwaq, Qatar Museum, Doha, Qatar

2018

Exhibition Location: NordArt, Büdelsdorf, Germany

2019

Exhibition Location: Center del Carme, Valencia, Spain

"In 2004, I was installing an exhibition at the East Asian Art Museum in Germany. During the Second World War, 90 percent of the collection was moved to the former Soviet Union by the Soviet Red Army. Only some photos of the lost artwork are left. I hope to use the large glass showcases surrounding the existing space to create a new work that combines local history and my cultural background. I saw the potted plants behind the frosted glass wall in the office area of the airport during a connecting flight, which looked like a smudged Chinese painting. At this time, I thought of the large glass cabinets of the museum and the missing art pieces and got the inspiration for Background Story."

- Xu Bing