Rong Bao

The art defined

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.

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.

Inspired by Warhol

My artistic relationship with Warhol is rooted in our shared belief in challenging boundaries and blending diverse elements. Like Warhol, who mixed high and low art, I explore the intersection of identity, technology, and culture, deep and naive, embracing “mixing” as a creative process. Warhol’s fearless experimentation and use of popular culture resonate in my work, particularly in interactive installations that encourage audience engagement. We both use everyday objects and concepts to spark deeper conversations about society, identity, and the role of art.

Absolut New Bee

The artwork Absolut New Bee creates a mysterious world within a bottle. Using an intelligent random algorithm, self-organizing biological swarms flutter inside the bottle, forming a cross-temporal dialogue with the expressive strokes of Andy Warhol’s upper-half artwork. The bees’ forms are edited into particle-like movements, generating turbulent waves akin to natural water flow, embodying a state of opposition between randomness and precision. The artist encapsulates this dynamic tension within Absolut Vodka’s iconic bottle. On one hand, the work looks back, responding to Warhol’s rebellious spirit against his era. On the other, it looks forward, searching for the latent biological energy that seeks to break free from the constraints of algorithmic order.