Tian Tiaquan’s complex, constructed images use China’s Cultural Revolution as a departure point to explore, and reflect on, “the most severe setback and heaviest losses suffered by the party, the state and the people since the founding of the Peoples Republic of China ”.
“Not a Dinner Party” subverts the documentary nature of photography to imply, rather than depict, his ideas about the Cultural Revolution. His images tell stories of suffering, confusion, and darkness, using fictional images that express the truth of the Cultural Revolution without describing it historically
He creates a strangely troubling ambiguity and, while his manipulated photographs appear drenched with meanings, these meanings can not reduced to simple, linear understanding of China recent history. Instead, Tian’s photographs present us with enough visual clues for us to use our own imagination.
Tian’s manipulated photography touches on multiple layers of Chinese cultural history, and social reality, in a profound and comprehensive manner and his work exemplifies that trend in contemporary art that is a force in constructing today’s culture and critiquing the residual effects of the Cultural Revolution.
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SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Solo Exhibition
2007
• Totem Recollection, Pingyao International Photography Exhibition
• Marks, Tian Taiquan’s Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Shijiazhuang Contemporary Art Gallery, Hebei Province
• A Lonely Studio Story-Tian Taiquan’s Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Singapore
• Lethe-Tian Taiquan’s Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Guangzhou Shenzhen and 501 Art Space, Chongqing
2006
• Lethe-Tian Taiquan’s Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Shenzhen
• Abnormal Feeling- Tian Taiquan’s Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute
1986
• Concept of Photography- Tian Taiquan’s Photography Exhibition, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute
Group Shows
2007
• Pleasant Sensation of Figures, Kunming
• China Photography Collections and Exhibition 2007, Beijing
• Asian International Arts Exhibition 2007, Hong Kong
• Perspective with Chinese Artists in Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Exhibition, America
• Foreordination and Transcendence Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Singapore
2006
• Foreordination and Transcendence Contemporary Photography Exhibition, Beijing
• First Sign Contemporary Arts Invitational Exhibition 2006, Beijing
• 5×7 Frame Decides the Attitude Biennial, Pingyao International Photography Exhibition
• Seoul International Media City, Korea
• Arts Makes World a Better Place Exhibition, Shanghai
• Tank from Chongqing Contemporary Arts Exhibition, Shenzhen
2005
• Between two Riversides Contemporary Arts Exhibition, Pingyao
EDUCATION
Resident artist at Tank Loft, Chongqing Contemporary Art Centre
1988 Graduated from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute
