We are proud of the artist Juewen Zhang, who today successfully completed his studies in the Art Department at the Offenbach University of Art and Design (HfG) with the highest possible grade of 1.0.
Even before his intermediate examination – which he also passed with 1.0 – his professor, Heiner Blum, observed: “He has already reached a stage that others only attain upon graduation, or sometimes never at all.” We would like to take this opportunity to express our special thanks to Heiner Blum: he not only advocated for Juewen Zhang’s admission to the university but also consistently encouraged him throughout his studies to develop his artistic stance, playing a pivotal role in that process. Emerging from this process, the Parting Series (Scheitel-Serie) and the body of object-based works centered on the streetwear brand Vans have become key groups of works within his artistic oeuvre.
In his graduate exhibition at ayayay in Offenbach, Juewen Zhang continues his artistic engagement with Vans. For this exhibition, he stages a walk-in Vans store whose interior and products are rendered in large-scale charcoal drawings. Measuring up to 3.5 meters in length, these works emerge through the interplay of layers of charcoal and areas of light carved out with an eraser. Sculptural elements, including Vans shoes made of paper and a reconstructed sales counter, extend the drawings into the surrounding space. In this way, image, object, and architecture merge into an installation that raises questions about the aesthetics of consumption and the construction of brand identity.
We are proud of the artist Juewen Zhang, who today successfully completed his studies in the Art Department at the Offenbach University of Art and Design (HfG) with the highest possible grade of 1.0.
Even before his intermediate examination – which he also passed with 1.0 – his professor, Heiner Blum, observed: “He has already reached a stage that others only attain upon graduation, or sometimes never at all.” We would like to take this opportunity to express our special thanks to Heiner Blum: he not only advocated for Juewen Zhang’s admission to the university but also consistently encouraged him throughout his studies to develop his artistic stance, playing a pivotal role in that process. Emerging from this process, the Parting Series (Scheitel-Serie) and the body of object-based works centered on the streetwear brand Vans have become key groups of works within his artistic oeuvre.
In his graduate exhibition at ayayay in Offenbach, Juewen Zhang continues his artistic engagement with Vans. For this exhibition, he stages a walk-in Vans store whose interior and products are rendered in large-scale charcoal drawings. Measuring up to 3.5 meters in length, these works emerge through the interplay of layers of charcoal and areas of light carved out with an eraser. Sculptural elements, including Vans shoes made of paper and a reconstructed sales counter, extend the drawings into the surrounding space. In this way, image, object, and architecture merge into an installation that raises questions about the aesthetics of consumption and the construction of brand identity.
WHERE Ayayay, Hafenplatz 1–3, Offenbach