Julian Opie holds first solo show in China

Julian Opie is showing his creations in Shanghai. [Photo provided to China Daily]

British artist Julian Opie is holding his first major solo show in China, with more than 50 works displayed at the Fosun Foundation in Shanghai's Bund area, overlooking the Huangpu River.

From life-size vinyl sculptures and LED monoliths of figures in motion to hand-painted portraits that bear influences of ancient Egyptian reliefs, Roman busts, pop art and manga, the exhibition shows his interests at different stages of his career.

"If you see this show, I think you see what I am doing at that moment. There is not much missing from here," says Opie.

The 59-year-old artist lives in London.

David Tung, Asia head of the Lisson Gallery, which is representing the artist in the Asia-Pacific region, said at the opening of the show that Opie rose to prominence in Britain in the 1980s.

In the past decades, he has created metal sculptures, minimalistic portraits and animated figures, presenting them on walls, postal stamps and T-shirts. He also has an acclaimed compact-disc cover for the British pop band Blur.

Opie's first solo exhibition in China is part of a project celebrating the gallery's 50th anniversary, Tung says.