Ding Yi: The Master of Crosses Who Transformed Chinese Abstraction

Key information

• Ding Yi is a leading contemporary Chinese artist best known for his signature motif of repeated “+” and “×” symbols.
• He studied at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and later earned his MFA from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.
• Since the early 1990s, Ding Yi has developed a distinctive abstract style that focuses on pattern, structure, and visual rhythm rather than narrative.
• His work explores themes of urbanization, technology, and the digital age through vibrant colors and innovative materials.
• Ding Yi’s pieces have been exhibited internationally and are included in major museum collections worldwide.
  
  

Ding Yi: a pioneer in contemporary Chinese art

Ding Yi is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of Chinese abstract art. Born in Shanghai in 1962, he emerged during a critical moment in China’s cultural and political transition, when the country was opening up to new artistic possibilities. While many of his contemporaries gravitated toward political pop or cynical realism, Ding Yi took a radically different path—creating a purely visual language based on structure, order, and repetition.

What sets Ding Yi apart is his dedication to a singular visual motif: the cross, rendered in the form of "+" and "×". With this minimalist yet infinitely variable symbol, he developed a body of work that reflects the energy, rhythm, and tension of modern urban life. His practice is rooted in control and meditation, offering a refreshing contrast to the noise and chaos of contemporary visual culture.

Early career and art education: from craft to concept

Ding Yi’s early education laid a foundational framework for his later precision-focused work. He began his studies at the Shanghai School of Arts and Crafts, where he specialized in decorative design—a discipline that emphasized accuracy, symmetry, and technique. This early exposure to design principles shaped his later emphasis on order and formal balance in painting.

Later, he continued his education at Shanghai University, where he studied traditional Chinese painting. This gave him a deep understanding of brushwork, calligraphy, and composition from an Eastern perspective. The fusion of these two paths—technical design and classical fine art—provided Ding with both the tools and the vision to develop an abstract style that was rigorously structured yet deeply rooted in cultural nuance.

Establishing his voice: the birth of the cross motif

In 1988, Ding Yi painted the first work in what would become his lifelong project: the Appearance of Crosses series. Rejecting political content and narrative symbolism, he began using only “+” and “×” symbols to construct his compositions. These marks, repeated across the surface of the canvas, served as both form and concept, signaling a complete departure from representational art.

Ding’s choice of the cross motif was deliberate yet open-ended. It holds no explicit political or religious connotation in his work—it is a neutral form through which he explores structure, complexity, and visual rhythm. Over the decades, he has remained committed to this format, using it as a way to investigate the changing texture of urban China while building a consistent yet evolving artistic identity.

A signature style rooted in order and intuition

Though his paintings often appear machine-generated at first glance, Ding Yi’s works are meticulously painted by hand. The labor-intensive process involves layering hundreds of tiny crosses to create rich fields of visual activity. These seemingly mechanical symbols transform into something organic and meditative through his careful modulation of color, density, and line.

What makes Ding Yi’s style unique is the tension between control and spontaneity. He adheres to a strict formal system, yet each piece has its own tempo and emotion. Over the years, he has experimented with fluorescent colors, tartan fabrics, and wood, expanding the boundaries of his abstract language while maintaining the integrity of his vision. His art invites viewers to slow down, focus, and engage with subtle variations that unfold gradually over time.

Notable works

Ding Yi’s career is defined by his unwavering commitment to a singular visual language: the repeated use of the “+” and “×” symbols. These marks, seemingly minimal, serve as building blocks for vast and intricate compositions that span canvases, cardboard, tartan fabric, and even light boxes. One of his earliest breakthrough pieces, "Appearance of Crosses 1990-4", marked the start of this lifelong exploration. It reflects a deep interest in structure and neutrality, distancing the work from narrative or emotional overtones. As his practice evolved, Ding Yi began experimenting with unconventional materials, such as corrugated cardboard in "Appearance of Crosses 1996-B13", challenging the conventional boundaries of painting.

By the 2000s, his works began to grow more complex and immersive, incorporating vivid fluorescent hues and dynamic grid systems. Pieces like "Appearance of Crosses 2006-B32" and "Appearance of Crosses 2012-14" illustrate a shift toward capturing the density and speed of contemporary urban life in China. The crosses transformed from purely graphic elements to carriers of energy and optical rhythm. More recent works, such as "Appearance of Crosses 2017-9" and "Appearance of Crosses 2019-3", evoke sensations of digital landscapes and visual noise, connecting abstraction with technology and contemporary existence. He also pushed the medium further by creating woodboard pieces where the symbols are carved into the surface, adding physical depth and shadow play. His light box installations, like those in the "Appearance of Crosses – Light Box Series", extend the concept into the realm of public and architectural space, illuminating his patterns as if they were neon constellations. These works underscore Ding Yi’s ability to innovate within a tightly focused visual framework, transforming repetition into revelation.

Global recognition: exhibitions and collections

Ding Yi has earned international acclaim for his consistent and innovative approach to abstraction. His solo exhibitions have appeared at major venues like the Ikon Gallery (UK), the Long Museum (Shanghai), and Hara Museum (Tokyo). He has also taken part in key group exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale and surveys of Chinese contemporary art at the Centre Pompidou and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

His work is represented in prominent collections around the world, including M+ in Hong Kong, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, and the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. This global presence affirms Ding Yi’s role as a bridge between Eastern aesthetics and Western modernism. Through quiet, obsessive labor and visual restraint, he has created a powerful and enduring contribution to the language of abstract art.

The quiet power of repetition

Ding Yi’s lifelong exploration of the cross has proven that repetition can be revolutionary. In a world saturated with noise and spectacle, his work offers an alternative path—one rooted in focus, patience, and the beauty of structure. He has transformed a simple symbol into a personal and universal language that resonates far beyond the canvas.

As the art world continues to evolve, Ding Yi’s practice stands as a reminder that innovation does not always come through novelty, but through commitment, refinement, and a singular vision. His art is not just something to look at—it’s something to experience, to contemplate, and to carry forward in thought.

FAQ

Who is Ding Yi and what is he known for?

Ding Yi is a contemporary Chinese artist famous for his abstract paintings featuring repeated “+” and “×” symbols.

What materials and techniques does Ding Yi use in his art?

He uses diverse materials including canvas, cardboard, tartan fabric, woodboards, and light boxes, combining painting with installation art.

How does Ding Yi’s work reflect contemporary themes?

His art captures the fast pace of urban life and the influence of digital technology through repetitive patterns and vibrant colors.

Where has Ding Yi exhibited his work?

Ding Yi’s work has been showcased in major museums and galleries worldwide, including institutions in China, Europe, and the United States.

What makes Ding Yi’s art unique?

His focus on repetition, pattern, and abstraction transforms simple symbols into complex visual experiences that bridge tradition and modernity.