Bio

Rong Bao, born in 1997, China, has emerged as a distinctive voice in the contemporary art scene. Celebrated for her unique visual language and insightful critique of societal norms, Bao's academic foundation is as diverse and rich as her artistic practice. She studied at the China Academy of Art and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, earned in 2021, and a Master of Arts from the Royal College of Art, completed in 2023. Her work has garnered notable recognition, including being selected as one of the Top 10 emerging artists by China UCCA and shortlisted for New Contemporaries 2022. She has also received the prestigious Gilbert Bayes Award from the Royal Society of Sculptors and the COLAB/Royal College of Art/Yorkshire Sculpture Park Graduate Award, marking her as a formidable force in the art world.

 

"Rong Bao is Me," Bao's debut solo exhibition at Saatchi Gallery in 2024, not only marks a significant milestone in her career but also represents the first solo exhibition by a female Chinese artist at this renowned venue. Her academic achievements and the critical acclaim of her work underscore a career that is both rapidly ascending and deeply impactful, reflecting a profound engagement with the cultural and environmental issues of our time.

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 Artist Statement

 

In the realm of my artistic exploration, playfulness and humor serve as the foundation upon which I construct a surreal interpretation of the world. My practice, deeply rooted in a multidisciplinary approach that spans sculpture, painting, video, and installation, is an invitation to engage with the familiar in unfamiliar ways. Through my work, I aim to initiate a dialogue with the absurd, where distorted self-portraits, the vibrancy of 'giggling' Alien Babies, and an itemized archive of air encapsulate the essence of my artistic narrative.

 

Fascination with mischief and deviance underscores my creations, introducing feelings not traditionally associated with the solemnity of gallery spaces. This deviation from the norm serves as a critical, yet playful, commentary on societal dysfunctions—critiquing themes of overconsumption, consumerism, and environmental disregard. My art emerges as a humorous yet poignant reflection on the human experience, striving to highlight the often overlooked absurdities ingrained in our daily lives and cultural practices.