Cai Zhi Song was born in 1972 in Shenyang Liaoning Province, China and graduated from the Sculpture Department of Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1997. He then taught at the university from 1998-2008. A sculpture artist whose powerful work has gained him international recognition, he was the first Chinese artist to win the prestigious Taylor prize at the Paris Autumn Salon in Eiffel-Branly - a highly coveted award that is given to only one distinguished artist every year. Created with great technical skill and originality, Cai Zhisong's impressive sculptures derive their inspiration from the sculptures of the Qin (221-206 B.C.) and Han Dynasties (206/202 B.C. - 220). Taking empirical figures, servants and warriors as his models, he uses modern techniques and materials to transform historically endowed entities into an entirely new significance and actuality. Out of glass-fiber reinforced resin and thin sheets of metal Cai Zhisong creates figures that capture the viewer's imagination and achieve a timeless beauty. Intricate surface detail, such as the figures' ornate hairstyles created out of thin wires, contrast with the simple, clear shapes and poses of his sculptures. Although impressive in size, the use of high tech material makes the figures seem amazingly light. 

Zhi Song's recent series of works -"Motherland"- not only shows his fascination with ancient Chinese culture but also addresses the dangers and consequences of cultural erosion in the face of today's increasing Globalization. In pursuit of countering this development, his artwork attempts to establish an indigenous form of contemporary art. Central to his work is the belief that art should be pluralistic, while the modern art world - despite its seeming diversity - harbors the danger of uniformity. Zhi Song observes the already existent centralization and economic strength of western civilizations driving many marginalized regional cultures to the periphery of society to become cultural reservations or tourist attractions. Although derived from ancient sources, the expressive poses do not possess much in common with the static, solemn sculpture-works of former periods of Chinese art. Carefully balanced between movement and stillness they create a tension, which engages the viewer's imagination. 

Furthermore, Cai Zhi Song's use of material gives his sculptures a modern feel. Choosing from a wide range of different materials available today from traditional to high-tech, he develops a distinctive style, in which thin sheets of metal are applied to a skeleton of reinforced glass-fiber resin, sometimes overlaying the metal sheets further with other materials. Rather than building a smooth surface, the many small sheets overlay each other creating a patchwork pattern, which, although barely visible, is one of the distinct characteristics of Cai Zhisong's style. The often deferring, subservient poses of Cai Zhisong's figures seem to mourn the loss of history and cultural identity of the present age. However they also convey more general ideas about the hardships of life, evoking feelings that every viewer can relate to. 

Awards and Honors

2013  
Global “100 Art Leaders”, “Art Actuel” in France.

2012
Mr 2012 in “Esquire”.

2004      
Obtained the President’s Prize at Central Academy of Fine ArtsObtained Bronze Prize at the 10th National Art Exhibition

2003      
Obtained Outstanding Work Prize at the Fuzhou International Invitational Sculpture Exhibition

2001      
Obtained the Taylor Prize at the Paris Autumn SalonObtained Outstanding Work Prize at the Hebei International Invitational Sculpture Exhibition

2000      
Obtained Gold Prize at the 55th Anniversary Exhibition of the Victory Against the Japanese

1997      
Obtained Gangsong Family Fund Award

Selected Public Collections

Newark Museum (U.S.A)
Greek Museum
Regensburg Museum, Germany
National Museum of Singapore
National Museum of Indonesia
Deutsche Bank-China
National Museum of China
China National Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of the China Centra Academy of Fine Arts
CNC (China news)
China Sculpture Museum
He Xiangning Art Museum, Zhejiang Art Museum
Chongqing Art Museum
Changchun Sculpture Art Museum
Peking University research center of aesthetics
People’s Government of Changchun Municipality
People’s Government of Shijiazhuang Municipality
People’s Government of Yantai Municipality 
People’s Government of Jiaozuo Municipality

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2018   
INHABITING: CAI Zhisong 2018 Solo Exhibition     Suzhou Jinji Lake Art Museum, Suzhou, China
Casting Gold: Cai Zhisong solo Exhibition    JINCAI GALLERY, Hangzhou, China

2017
Between Heaven and Man: CAI Zhisong 2017 Solo Exhibition     Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai, China

2016 
Dimension of Spirit—Cai Zhisong Transboundary Art Exhibition     Mercedes Me,Beijing, China 

2015 
Rose Cloud Screen—2015 Cai Zhisong First Solo Exhibition     Lake Ville GALLERY, Shanghai, China
Floating Rose—Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition     TINA KENG GALLERY, Taipei-Taiwan
In Clouds—Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition      LEO GALLERY, Shanghai, China

2014
Review of History--Cai Zhisong        Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Between Cloud and Water, Cai Zhisong Arts Exhibition      Rockefeller Roserockca Art Club (Beijing) Beijing, China
Beyond the Cloud--Cai Zhisong Art Exhibition         Hong Kong Art Centre, Galerie Ora-Ora, Leo Gallery, Yang Gallery (Beijing) Exhibition,  China

2013
Ming to Modern    Newark Museum, New Jersey, USA

2012     
Rose&Clouds——Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition , ARTMIA Gallery， Beijing, China
Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition,  MOCA, Singapore

2011
Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Ode To Art Contemporary, Singapore
Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaCai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Regensburg Museum, Germany

2010     
Motherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Ming Art, TaiwanMotherland and Rose- Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Triumph Art Space, Beijing, China

2009     
Motherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, China Square NY, New York, USACai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, See+ Gallery, Beijing, China

2006     
Motherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, SHiNE Art Space, Shanghai, China

2005     
Motherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, La Ke’er Art Center, Beijing, ChinaMotherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Highland Gallery, Beijing, China

2004     
Motherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Art Scene Warehouse, Shanghai, China

2003     
Motherland-Cai Zhisong Solo Exhibition, Belgium Embassy, Beijing, China