All artworks by Gu Dexin
Recognition
The Artist was highlighted in an article in ArtMajeur Magazine
Biography
Gu Dexin (born 1962 in Beijing, China) is a prominent contemporary artist known for his provocative and often unsettling explorations of decay, death, and the darker aspects of human nature. Largely self-taught, Gu began his career in the 1980s, emerging as part of China’s avant-garde art scene during a time of intense cultural and political transformation.
Initially working in painting, Gu Dexin later became widely recognized for his use of organic materials—particularly fruit and meat—which he allowed to rot in public installations. These works, both visceral and ephemeral, confront viewers with the passage of time, bodily decomposition, and the inevitability of mortality. His installations often created sensory overloads, involving smell and texture to heighten emotional and physical reactions.
Gu participated in several landmark exhibitions, including the 1989 exhibition China/Avant-Garde at the National Art Museum of China and international shows such as the Venice Biennale and Documenta. His work has been shown at major institutions like the Centre Pompidou and MoMA PS1, affirming his influence on both Chinese and global contemporary art.
In 2009, at the age of 47, Gu Dexin abruptly retired from the art world, choosing to stop creating and exhibiting altogether. His departure was consistent with his anti-establishment stance and his disinterest in fame or commodification. Since then, he has lived a relatively private life in Beijing.
Gu Dexin’s legacy is marked by a fearless interrogation of human ethics, consumer culture, and existential decay. Despite his withdrawal from the scene, his work continues to influence younger generations of artists and provoke critical discourse around impermanence and moral boundaries in contemporary art.
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Nationality:
CHINA
- Date of birth : 1962
- Artistic domains: No artwork available yet
- Groups: Chinese Contemporary Artists Artists presented by a gallery