Shang Liang’s work confronts notions of strength, heroism, and power, turning these abstract ideas into vivid visual symbols. Moving beyond traditional portraiture, he transforms characters into emblematic figures through repeated, textured brushstrokes. These representations are not individual likenesses but visual icons that embody broader concepts related to human ambition, competition, and the construction of identity. His practice develops across multiple series of paintings and sculptures, in which the figures evolve and take on new forms. By abstracting and reconfiguring the body, Shang creates a unique visual language that emphasizes both the ritualized nature of human experience and the symbolic weight of physical presence, exploring the tension between control, vulnerability, and cultural ideals. ...
