When we look at today’s sculptors, Ren Zhe represents the backbone of the contemporary scene in China. He devoted himself to works themed on ancient warriors and strives to embody the country’s cultural heritage. This is how Ren Zhe found his niche and carved his reputation in the artistic field.

Ren Zhe said,”I think art should be the most time-persistent industry. But how can we make it time-persistent? It needs to be classic enough. This work is called Far Reaching Ambition. I have always been sculpting Chinese warriors, because I think the best spirit of a warrior is to constantly surpass yesterday’s self. This work emphasizes the strength of a warrior’s mentality. ‘Although I’m no longer in military uniform, I still harbor the world, that is, I’m trying to express people’s inner spirit through physique.”

Born in Beijing in 1983, Ren Zhe shines as a young cutting-edge sculptor. The charm and spirit of his work is defined not only by combining Eastern culture and tradition with a contemporary trend, but also by the best representation of both Western and Eastern culture.

“You can see that he is playing a piece of wood, because Laozi once said, ‘The most beautiful sound is silence’. If he is playing a piece of wood, you can still hear the implication. This work means looking for someone who understands you,”he said.

“This is my studio, where I live and create every day. Once you come in, it’s my showroom,” Ren said. “This work is the Black Tortoise in the traditional Chinese culture. If you really want to create a good piece of art, you should do some early research, including an understanding of Eastern culture. Only when you go deeper into the cultural system can you express it clearly.”

In Ren Zhe’s studio, we can see the birth of his works with our own eyes and intuitively feel that he is a sensitive artist. Dealing with clay all day, he has made a perfect fusion of classical and contemporary art.

“Sculpture is more in line with my personality. I think it is more real to create directly with clay without the help of any tools. A good outcome is the achievement of an artist. Your time and efforts are condensed in your work. It’s like a diary of the three months of your life, so I also hope that every sculpture is done very seriously,” he said.

One of Ren Zhe’s exhibitions features a large-scale installation at the tallest building in Shenzhen, called Genesis or Chi Zi Xin, which means “Child at Heart” in Chinese. It broke down the barriers between art and pop culture. Having a youthful heart is the manifestation he carries when he creates. “I have been trying to express art in a diversified way in recent years,” he said.

Inside the Ice Ribbon, the newly built venue hosting speed skating competitions at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, a particularly eye-catching sculpture called Fortitude or Chi Ren in Chinese, conveyed the speed and passion of winter sports to audiences.

“What I was trying to create was a sense of speed, as it would be displayed at the Ice Ribbon. Later, I thought about the speed of skating. The lines behind it echo the lines of the Ice Ribbon. It’s a great honor that my work was recognized by so many people.” Ren said.

Films and TV series about martial arts positively affected the growth of many Chinese artists born in the 1980s. Rather than being overly influenced by Western sculpting techniques, this generation, including Ren Zhe, grew more confident about their own culture. The ancient warriors he crafts are full of meaning, rather than just empty symbols.

Ren said, “I am part of the post-80s generation. In addition to the movements of Chinese martial arts, some boxing and fighting movements from the West may also appear in my creations. Therefore, I hope that when people see my work, they will feel more of an eastern spirit, but in terms the form of expression. I hope that my works are more global.”

Ren Zhe reminds us that an artist’s pursuit must be relentless. His figurative works are highly recognizable – masculine, expressive and thought-provoking. Viewing his works over time makes us think about the many centuries of Chinese history.