Guo Cheng Dong 郭成東 b. 1975

Biography

Currently based in Paris, Guo Chengdong (b. 1975, Shenyang, China) integrates the depth of Eastern craftsmanship with the expressive vocabulary of Western contemporary art. His practice delves into the spatial, material, and temporal dimensions of sculpture, offering nuanced reflections on the relationship between body, environment, and material.

Trained in figurative sculpture and jade carving in China, Guo laid a strong technical foundation early in his career. After moving to Paris in 2002, he embraced experimental practices, such as large-scale installations and conceptual dialogues with the works of Marcel Duchamp. While he continues to pursue the intrinsic language of sculpture, his work transcends the cold formalism of Western minimalism by infusing philosophical inquiries into human condition, society and nature, imbuing his sculptures with narrative depth and spiritual resonance.

 

Guo was awarded the “Tony Stone Award” by the Society of Portrait Sculptors in the UK (2022) and the Special Jury Prize at the 9th Rambouillet Biennial of Animal Sculpture. In 2020, he was commissioned by the Chu Teh-Chun Foundation to create a life-sized bronze sculpture of the artist to commemorate Chu’s centenary. His works have been exhibited at major institutions in France, Germany, and Belgium, including the Musée Cernuschi, Musée National de la Marine, and the Grand Palais in Paris.

 
Works
Le Jingzhe《驚蟄》, 2019
Artistry
The horse, a central motif in Guo’s practice, has earned him significant international recognition. It symbolizes the relentless "Pioneer Spirit of the Courier-horse" and collective cultural memory. In his early works, the horse embodied reflections on identity, migration, and self-projection. In recent years, the equine form has become increasingly abstract, marking a shift toward a more autonomous exploration of structure and formal language.
 
In recent years, Guo has expanded his practice to include non-traditional media such as polyester resin, stainless steel, kinetic mechanisms, and condensation-based processes. These works transform sculpture from static object to dynamic environment, incorporating temporal flow, climatic conditions, and viewer participation. Emphasizing processual becoming, they manifest profound reflections on spatial interaction within the discourse of post-minimalist sculpture.