A²M NEXT | From Realism to Trendy Toys — SCG Sponsors Zhang Xiaoyu’s Solo Exhibition

From Realism to Trendy Playfulness | FROM REALISM TO TRENDY TOYS

Artist Zhang Xiaoyu Xiaoyu Zhang

Exhibition Duration: August 21 – September 20, 2026 21st Aug- 20th Sep 2026

Location: Room 203, Rear Hall, Zendai Museum of Art, 2nd Floor, No. 99 Fucheng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Hall 203, Aurora Museum, 2F, No. 99 Fucheng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Organizing entity Organizer: Aurora Art Museum

Note: The “Aurora Museum” refers to the Aurora Museum (under preparation) located in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai, with its principal entity being Aurora Museum (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Aurora Art Museum refers to the Aurora Art Museum, Pudong New Area, Shanghai (under construction), primarily owned by Aurora Museum (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Supporting Units: Suzhou Construction (Group) Planning and Architectural Design Institute , Suzhou Oukang Architecture, TORRECID Taolixi, Lao Abba Jiangsu–Zhejiang Home-Style Cuisine, Jianyuan Co., Ltd., DONNA VITTORI, Er Yuan AI, HORSE MUSEUM, COSARK Zhuangzhou

Suzhou Construction (Group) Planning and Architectural Design Institute, Suzhou Oukang Architecture, TORRECID, Lao Aba Jiangzhe Local Cuisine Restaurant, Jianyuan Group, DONNA VITTORI, AI, HORSE MUSEUM, COSARK

Ticket Price:

The exhibition is free, but reservations are required.

Free admission, Reservation required

*  Opening Hours on August 21 Opening Hours on August 21 ：

  14:00–21:00 (admission ends at 20:30)

14:00-21:00 (Last entry at 20:30)

African Princess and the Blood-Sweating Horse, oil painting

African Princess and Akhal-Teke Horse, Oil Painting

100 cm x 125cm, 2026

Artist Zhang Xiaoyu has long focused on the spiritual relationship between humans and horses, centering her work on women, children, knights, aristocrats, and figures of contemporary trends. Through a realist oil-painting language and a pop‑culture‑inflected visual reconfiguration, she has forged an artistic system that blends classical aesthetics with contemporary communicative appeal.

Artist Zhang Xiaoyu has long focused on the spiritual relationship between "humans and horses," using women, children, knights, nobles, and modern trendy figures as his subjects. Through realistic oil painting language and trendy visual reconstruction, he has established an art system that combines classical aesthetics with contemporary communicability.

Self-Portrait, Digital Painting

Self-portrait, Digital Painting

80 cm x 80 cm, 2023

This exhibition will comprehensively trace the artist’s creative trajectory—from classical realism and contemporary portraiture to international narrative and trend‑driven IP‑based expression—exploring how “human–horse symbiosis” bridges tradition and the future through artistic language.

This exhibition will present the artist's complete creative trajectory, from classical realism and contemporary portraiture to international narratives and trendy IP-based expressions, exploring how "human-horse symbiosis" achieves a leap between tradition and the future through artistic language.

Longma, stainless steel with 24K gold plating

Dragon Horse Gold Plated on Stainless

100 cm x 90 cm x 80 cm, 2023

The name “Longma” is drawn from the poem “Sending Off a Friend” by Tang‑dynasty poet Li Xianyong: “In Yan, there is a steed that strides like a dragon; no amount of gold can buy it a name among the finest.” Originally, the phrase was meant to praise the emperor’s wise governance and the prosperity and peace prevailing in the realm. The figure is inspired by an oil painting by Zhang Xiaoyu—a white Arabian stallion with its forelegs lifted off the ground, poised in mid‑leap. In the sculpture, the horse’s body is slightly turned and leans forward, captured in a dynamic, soaring pose, complemented by delicate, ethereal wings. Its exquisitely refined form suggests that this young colt is eager to claim its own space, echoing the youthful emperor’s earnest aspirations to implement bold new policies upon ascending the throne. Paired with a uniquely designed braided mane and face mask, the work underscores its originality and distinctive character.

The name "Dragon Horse" is taken from the poem "Sending Off a Friend" by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Xianyong: "In the middle land there is a horse that moves like a dragon, its fame undeserved, though it cannot be exchanged for gold." The original meaning was to praise the emperor's effective governance and the prosperity and peace of the people. The image is derived from my oil painting, depicting a white Arabian horse with its forelegs raised off the ground. The sculpted horse is slightly turned to the side, leaning forward, in a leaping posture, accompanied by delicate wings. Its exquisite physique suggests that this young stallion is eager to explore its own space, hinting at the young emperor's good intentions in implementing new policies. The uniquely designed braid and mask further highlight the work's originality and individuality.

Professor You Kui has won more than thirty awards in international art competitions, with his accolades spanning installation art, sculpture, portraiture, animal painting, and digital art. His works are held in the collections of art institutions and private collectors across Australia, the United States, China, France, Japan, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Currently, he serves as a collaborating artist at the W Hotel in Suzhou. His sculptural pieces have been selected for the 7th Suzhou–Jinji Lake Chinese Young Sculptors Biennial, scheduled for 2026.

A native of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, P.R.China, ZHANG Xiaoyu, whose English name is Kevin, studied traditional Chinese painting since childhood, specializing in ink painting of galloping horses. He studied at the Department of Architecture of Southeast University and China Europe International Business School. He also studied under the watercolor painter Professor Liang Yuncai, the famous architect Professor Chen Lixian and Professor Ding Wowo, and the master of Zhouyi Chinese Studies Professor Ji Youkui. He has won more than thirty times awards in international art competitions, and his award-winning works cover a variety of fields including installation art, sculpture, portraits, animal paintings and digital paintings. His art works are collected by art institutions or collectors in Australia, America, China, French, Japan, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Netherlands, Singapore, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and other countries. Currently, he is a collaborating artist with the W Suzhou. His sculpture was selected for the 7th Suzhou Jinji Lake China Youth Sculpture Art Biennale in 2026.

Suzhou Construction (Group) Planning and Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd. holds Grade-A design qualifications in the construction industry (building engineering) and was founded in 1994. With industrial and civil architectural design as its core business, the company has expanded into engineering technical consulting and possesses the comprehensive design and management capabilities required to undertake large- and medium-sized projects.

Suzhou Construction (Group) Planning and Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd., holding the construction industry (construction engineering) Grade A design qualification, was founded in 1994. With industrial and civil architectural design as its core business, and expanding construction engineering technical consulting, it has the ability to undertake comprehensive design and management of large and medium-sized projects.

The organization is fully structured, currently comprising seven major departments: the Architectural Design Department, the Structural Design Department, the MEP Design Department, the Chief Engineer’s Office, the Finance Department, the Business Development Department, and the International Business Department. The team consists of 167 members, covering specialties such as architecture, structural engineering, plumbing and drainage, electrical engineering, HVAC, landscape design, construction cost estimation, and technical consulting. With a strong talent pool, the firm boasts numerous nationally certified Grade‑I Registered Architects, Grade‑I Registered Structural Engineers, and Registered Public Utilities Engineers; among the 156 professional engineering and technical staff, 110 are mid‑ to senior‑level technical leaders.

The organization is complete, and there are seven departments: architectural design department, structural design department, mechanical and electrical design department, chief engineer's office, finance department, business department and international business department. The team size is 167 people, covering architecture, structure, water supply and drainage, electrical, HVAC, landscape, engineering budget and technical consulting. Strong talents, with a number of national first-class registered architects, first-class registered structural engineers and registered public equipment engineers; Among the 156 professional engineering and technical personnel, there are 110 middle and senior professional and technical backbones.

Equipped with a mainstream design software suite that covers all disciplines in architecture, our firm is a design and consulting organization boasting comprehensive professional resources, robust technical expertise, extensive practical experience, and a forward‑thinking service philosophy.

Equipped with a mainstream design software system covering all professions of architecture, the institute is a design consulting service organization with complete professional configuration, strong technical strength, rich practical experience and advanced service concepts.

The Zendai Museum of Art is housed in a newly designed space by Tadao Ando, which officially opened to the public in 2020. The result of years of meticulous planning, the museum embarks on a fresh chapter, presenting a rich and diverse artistic landscape. Looking ahead, the Zendai Museum of Art will continue to stage exhibitions and events showcasing contemporary and modern art, striving to create a multifaceted platform for the public through ongoing artistic exploration and innovation.

The Aurora Art Museum is housed in a new space designed by Tadao Ando, which officially opened to the public in 2020. After years of meticulous planning, the Aurora Art Museum embarks on a new journey, presenting a rich and diverse world of art. Looking to the future, the Aurora Art Museum will continuously present contemporary art exhibitions and events, hoping to create a diversified art platform for the public through ongoing artistic exploration and innovation.

Note: The “Aurora Museum” refers to the Aurora Museum (under preparation) located in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai, with its legal entity being Aurora Museum (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.