Beyond “The Border of Cloud” - Alumni Art Exhibition

In an era where globalisation and the internet intertwine, emerging artists are akin to nomads traversing blurred cultural boundaries, much like drifting clouds. Their creations reflect a rich, diverse range of life experiences and draw endless inspiration from them. 

Recently, two alumni from DHSZ, Lawrence Zhang and Alex Chen, have collaborated on a contemporary art exhibition titled "The Border of Cloud," which has debuted at the Changchuan Art Museum in Suzhou. As both curators and exhibiting artists, these young creatives explore this thought-provoking theme through their unique artistic perspectives.

About “The Border of Cloud”

Light Clouds Bear Dreams, Carrying the Aspiration for Revival

The idea for this exhibition emerged from Lawrence's observations during his studies in the UK. "I noticed that students there are very keen on organising exhibitions; they might find a small gallery that serves as a storefront, hang up a couple of artworks, and just start exhibiting." This led him to realise the importance of providing similar public exhibition opportunities for young creators in China. He then discussed the idea with his friend, Alex, and together they decided to organise an exhibition in Suzhou dedicated to artists born after 2000.

The theme "The Border of Cloud" carries deep significance. While reading Benjamin Bratton's book The Stack, Lawrence became intrigued by the concept of "clouds" in the book and expanded upon it, saying, "As a generation born after 2000, we have been influenced by both traditional Chinese culture and Western elements, creating a unique cultural fusion. Coupled with our familiarity with the internet from a young age, 'The Border of Cloud' became our chosen theme. We wanted to express our views on this era through our creations."

Lawrence hopes this exhibition will showcase the creativity and visual language of the younger generation to the audience. He states, "Suzhou has always been a city rich in artistic heritage. As young people from Suzhou, it is our responsibility to inject new vitality into contemporary art." Alex echoes this sentiment, adding that he is still in the exploratory phase of his artistic creation, not having fully established his own unique visual language and style. Through this exhibition, however, he hopes to offer the audience a fresh artistic experience and perspective.

The Encounter Between Mentor and Prodigy

From Studio to Exhibition Hall, Friendship and Art Walk Hand in Hand

Lawrence and Alex first met in an art class at DHSZ. When Alex was new to the school, Lawrence, as a senior, happened to come across one of Alex's artworks in the studio and was instantly captivated. "The moment I saw that painting, I thought, 'This student is incredibly talented!'" Lawrence recalls with enthusiasm. He immediately inquired about the new student from the art teachers and took the initiative to get acquainted with Alex. In 2020, at the suggestion of the Student Council’s Head Prefect, Jeffery Wang, the two collaborated to establish the DHSZ Art Society—a co-curricular activity (CCA) led by students. Here, they regularly discussed art history, shared creative insights, and learned and created alongside other like-minded students.

This CCA not only forged a deep friendship between them but also laid a solid foundation for future collaborations. Many of the curatorial assistants involved in "The Border of Cloud," such as Monica Sun, Karlie Xing, Kiki Zhao, and Helen Wang, were also members of the CCA and alumni of DHSZ's art programme. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of curating the exhibition, Lawrence also invited two Dulwich alumni with business backgrounds, Jack Chen and Cathy Wang, to handle the coordination of the exhibition.

Lawrence admits that he is not particularly skilled in artistic practice, but he has a deep interest in art theory and criticism and has always been committed to "spreading" art. During his time at DHSZ, he and the CCA members frequently presented art history lectures to their peers, helping to broaden their horizons and share art knowledge. Now, as a curator, Lawrence closely integrates his theoretical research with curatorial practice, continuing to promote the transmission and spread of art.

Cross-Cultural Artistic Exploration and Growth

From DHSZ to Prestigious Art Schools in the UK and the USA

After graduating from DHSZ, Lawrence and Alex continued their studies at Central Saint Martins in the UK and the Rhode Island School of Design in the US, respectively. Despite being in different cultural environments, their artistic creations resonated strongly with each other.

Alex recalls the challenges he faced in his first year in the US, when he was first introduced to design and three-dimensional creation. "Our teachers would give us strict requirements, like only allowing the use of curved materials to create an installation, which forced me to step out of my comfort zone and start exploring new materials," he says. This experience expanded his creative techniques and sparked a new understanding of art.

Lawrence encountered similar challenges at university. While he mainly focused on painting during his time at DHSZ, his first encounter with conceptual art at university made him realise that his previous artistic training had laid a solid foundation for this new approach. He remarks, "When I got to university, I found that DHSZ's art courses were quite similar to those abroad."

During their studies overseas, both were inspired by their peers and professors, gradually breaking away from traditional artistic thinking and experimenting with more diverse materials and creative methods. This cross-cultural artistic exploration broadened their horizons and further ignited their creative inspiration.

Reflecting on their time at DHSZ, both Lawrence and Alex feel a deep sense of gratitude. For Lawrence, the education at DHSZ was not just about technical training but, more importantly, about providing students with the time and space to cultivate creative habits. "Art students could do their evening self-study in the art classroom, which gave us a free environment for creation," he says.

Alex agrees, noting that although he was a day student, he often stayed in the school's art classroom to create. "At DHSZ, the teachers gave us a lot of freedom, which allowed me to stick to drawing every day and gradually develop a habit of creating." This persistence and the atmosphere of freedom and creativity helped them continue to grow in their artistic careers.

Advice for DHSZ Art Students

As "those who have been through it," Lawrence and Alex offer valuable and practical advice to current DHSZ art students. Alex emphasises the importance of making the most of the resources available at DHSZ, "At DHSZ, the materials and tools provided in art classes are free. Make full use of these resources because once you're in university, they will become expensive costs that you'll need to cover yourself."

Lawrence also mentions the annual art exhibition held at DHSZ for senior students, "This is an opportunity that every art student should take seriously." He believes that the chance to exhibit unfinished works and receive critiques is invaluable. Alex adds that publicly displaying your work can lead to receiving objective feedback earlier, helping art students to recognise their weaknesses and continually improve.

Lawrence Zhang and Alex Chen's artistic journeys have transcended national and cultural boundaries, but their artistic roots remain deeply connected to Dulwich. This joint art exhibition is not only a reflection and summary of their past learning experiences but also a creation and contemplation that looks towards the future. They hope that through sharing their experiences, they can inspire current DHSZ students to discover and surpass themselves in this fertile ground of freedom and creativity, achieving a more brilliant artistic life.