From Campus to Society

This conversation invites artists Li Tianyuan, Wang Youshen, and Zhao Bandi to engage in an in-depth exchange centered on the theme “From Campus to Society.” All three graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1988. Confronted with shifting social environments, the nascent market economy, and the growing influence of international art discourse, each artist developed a distinct creative path in response to the times. From the late 1980s through the 1990s, they completed the transition from art students to professional artists. Through their creative practices, exhibitions, and organization of art events, they actively expanded the boundaries of Chinese contemporary art, while also witnessing and participating in its gradual integration into the global stage.

This dialogue is not only a retrospective interweaving personal experiences with their historical context but also a source of practical inspiration for young artists. It explores how to understand oneself and one’s context while transitioning from academia to society, and how to persist in exploration while maintaining independent expression and courage within a complex and ever-changing art ecosystem.