Jingze Du’s paintings frequently depict human heads, ranging from slightly contorted to naturalistic, in grey tones with accents of black and white. These works explore positions that oscillate between two states, such as strength and weakness; masculine and feminine; conformity and independence; and validation and rejection. Above all, Du’s work is representative of his experience as an immigrant with a life neatly divided into two parts—the first half in China, the second half in Ireland.

BIO:

Jingze Du was born in Yantai, China in 1995.

In 2019, Du received a MA at the Royal College of Art in London, UK. In 2017, Du received a BFA at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin, Ireland.

Solo exhibitions of Du’s work include: Midnight at Steve Turner in Los Angeles, California (2021); Nightshade in L21 Gallery in Mallorca, Spain (2021); Elsewhere at Hive Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, China (2021); Magic Kingdom at Steve Turner in Los Angeles, California (2020); In Between at Steve Turner in Los Angeles, California (2020); A City of Glass Crystal After Dark at Sol Art Gallery in Dublin, Ireland (2019); Nostalgia, Waves at Pallas Projects/Studios in Dublin, Ireland (2016); and Contagious at Project Space, National College of Art & Design in Dublin, Ireland (2014).

Group exhibitions that have shown Du’s work include: Art Brussels (with Steve Turner) in Brussels, Belgium (2022); EXPO Chicago (with Steve Turner) in Chicago, Illinois (2022); Untitled (with Steve Turner) in Miami Beach, Florida (2021); Our World Two at Steve Turner in Los Angeles, California (2021); Show 2019 at Royal College of Art in London, UK (2019); Disruptors at Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda, Ireland (2019); Art Central with Maddox Gallery in Hong Kong, China (2019); All Good Things at Bellwood and Wright Fine Art in Lancaster, UK (2019); The Hidden Dimension at Coningsby Gallery in London, UK (2019); College at House of Vans in London, UK (2019); Thumbnails at Hockney Gallery at Royal College of Art in London, UK (2018); W.I.P. Show at Royal College of Art in London, UK (2018); NCAD Degree Show at National College of Art & Design in Dublin, Ireland (2017); Is This the Right Time? At Temple Bar Gallery + Studios in Dublin, Ireland (2016); 29th at Project Space, National College of Art & Design in Dublin, Ireland (2016); and Inside at A4 Art Project Space in Dublin, Ireland (2015).

In 2020, Du participated in a residency with the RHA Studio Programme. The artist won the NUI Art and Design Prize in 2017.

Du currently lives and works in Dublin, Ireland.