QIU Yangzi (b. 1989) is a London-based visual artist of Chinese descent, specializing in experimental photography. Her work explores the relationship between humans and nature, focusing on the elements—earth, sky, and clouds—to examine themes of connection, time, and belonging.
At the heart of Yangzi’s artistic vision is Shanshui, a Chinese concept of landscape that embodies spiritual connection, tranquility, and an ideal beyond the material world. Her work reflects a deep engagement with the intangible and transient nature of time, capturing moments that slip between past and present, permanence and impermanence. Through her lens, landscapes become fluid spaces where time folds, dissolves, and reforms, mirroring the fleeting nature of human experience.
Yangzi’s creative process embraces chance and spontaneity, incorporating experimental techniques that challenge traditional photographic boundaries. She reinterprets Shanshui in a contemporary context, weaving her Chinese heritage with a broader exploration of identity and cultural fluidity. Her immersive works invite viewers to engage with the shifting nature of existence, questioning how we perceive time, memory, and connection.
Through her art, Yangzi creates poetic visual narratives that evoke the delicate balance between presence and absence, permanence and change—offering a meditative reflection on our place within the ever-evolving world.
Event (Exhibition, Fair, Talk, Cross-over)
Nov 2025, Reykjavik, Iceland, SIM Residency and Exhibition
Nov 2025, Paris, France, Offprint Paris, Art Paper Editions, "Rotation"
Nov 2025, Paris, France, Paris Photo, Art Paper Editions, "Rotation"
Oct 8 - 31 2025, Paris, France, Le Plac'art Photo, Contemporary Artist's Books, "Cloud and Stone" photobook object
Sep 29 - Dec 31 2025 Beijing, China, the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) Meridian Gate Gallery, "Between the Dragon Stones" photo sculpture
Aug 2025 Incheon, South Korea, Incheon Open Port International Photo Festival, "Cloud and Stone"
Jun 20-Jul 3 2025 Hong Kong S.A.R., China, Hong Kong Fringe Club (Organized by the Palace Museum), "Between the Dragon Stones" photo sculpture
Apr 2025, New York, United States, AIPAD The Photogrphy Show, "Cloud and Stone" photobook object
Apr 2025, London, United Kingdom, ST.ART Gallery, Artist Evening, QIU Yangzi in conversation with photography researcher Yue Li, and "Soundscape” live concert performed by WAN Xing;
Apr 2025, London, United Kingdom, ST.ART Gallery, Pop up event, "Travel in Dreams", Co-organised with Artistic Director/ Musician Wan Xing (Hong Kong), collaborated with Scent researcher Yiwei CHEN (Guangzhou).
Mar 2025 London, United Kingdom, London Gallery West, Image Futures: Work in Progress Show, "What is Moving" Special Edition (Curved Metal Frame)
Feb 7-Apr 13 2025 London, United Kingdom, The Photographers' Gallery Print Sales, Salon Wall, Group Exhibition, "Flowing Reality"
Feb 2025 Dallas, Texas, United Sates, New Media Contemporary Gallery and Hommage Magazine, "Deconstructing the Magazine", Group Exhibition, Art project "Soundscapes"
Jan 2025 London, United Kingdom, The Photographers' Gallery, Folio Friday reviewer
Nov 2024 Paris, France, Polycopies Fair, "Cloud and Stone" photobook object
Nov 2024 Berlin, Germany, Bildbird bookshop, "Cloud and Stone" photobook object, book sign and live stream in social media
Oct 2024 London, United Kingdom, The Photographers' Gallery, Artist Evening Event QIU Yangzi in conversation with sinologist Dr Edward Luper, and music concert performed by Dr Cheng Yu and Dennis Lee
Oct 2024 Hong Kong S.A.R., China, Fine Art Asia, Fair Exhibition, "Half the World Away", details in https://fineartasia.com/
Sep 2024 Amsterdam, Netherland, Unseen Fair, "Cloud and Stone" photobook object book signing event
Sep 2024 London, United Kingdom, The Photographers' Gallery Bookshop, "Cloud and Stone" Photobook object
Sep-Nov 2024 London, United Kingdom, The Photographers' Gallery Print Sales, "Reimagined Landscapes", Three Project Focused Group Exhibition, Art series "Rotation", details in https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/whats-on/reimagined-landscapes
Jul 2024 Shanghai, China, Chelesa Gallery, Artist QIU Yangzi in conversation with Philosopher Manhua Li, Moderator/ Gallery Director Angel Siu, details in www.qiuyangzi.com/mindscape
July-Aug 2024 Shanghai, China, Chelesa Gallery, "Mindscape", Solo Exhibition, Art series "Rotation", "What is moving", "Soundscape", "Cloud and Stone" Photobook object and limited editions. Details in www.qiuyangzi.com/mindscape.
Jul 2024 Athens, Greece and online live stream, IFAC Athina Gallery, "Video Art Night: A Tribute to Bill Viola", Group Exhibition, Cooperated Art Project with Wan Xing titled "Soundscape", details in www.ifacarts.com/show/ifac-arts-video-art-night-a-tribute-to-bill-viola
Jun 2024 Athens, Greece, IFAC Athina Gallery, “Between walls and covers”, Group Exhibition, Art project “Ruins”
Jun 2024 London, United Kingdom, Ensie in Wonderland Bookshop (London book branch of UnderlineArtSpace from Beijing China), Artist Talk in conversation with Curator Sen Kwok and guide workshop (Experiment with artist book object)
May-Aug 2024 Cardiff, United Kingdom, Ffotogallery, "The World Without Us", Group Exhibition, Art project "Soil Remembers", details in www.ffotogallery.org/programme/the-world-without-us
Feb 2024 Hong Kong SAR, China, Hong Kong City Hall, "Soundscape" - Wan Xing Solo Concert, Cross-over project "Soundscape" performed in stage with original composed music and artworks from series "Cloud and Stone"
Oct 2023 London, United Kingdom, Hatcham Church Hall Exhibition Space, "Great Sounds Seek Silence", Group exhibition, Art series "Rotation", "Flowing Reality", "What is moving", "Cloud and Stone", "Smile", "Inside the Inside", "Unborn", "Half the world away", details in https://sites.gold.ac.uk/confucius-institute/great-sounds-seek-silence-exhibition/
Jul 2022 Wiltshire, United Kingdom, WOMAD 2022 Music Festival, Cross over with Music band "Silk breeze" (London Youlan Qin Society), Art work from "Cloud and Stone" used as stage background
May 2022 London, United Kingdom, London Culture Salon, "Vision In My Heart", Solo Artist Talk
Feb 2022 Online, Cross-over with musician and composer Wan Xing, Art work "Soundscape" released in Youtube and official website of the Hong Kong Cultural Presentations Section, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, details in www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgjQVtZm0vk and www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1274.html#tab_4_0
Aug 2019 London, United Kingdom, Dyson Gallery, "What is Image", Group Exhibition, Art series "Flowing Reality"
Apr 2017 Hong Kong SAR, China, Hong Kong Central Library, "Black and White Analog Photography", Group Exhibition, Art Series "Cloud and Stone"
Dec 2016 Hong Kong SAR, China, The Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Raghu Rai Magnum Photos, Group Exhibition
Award
Aug 2024 United Kingdom, The Royal Photographic Society International Photography Exhibition 166 - Shortlisted, Art series "Soil Remembers"
Apr 2024 United Kingdom, Belfast Photo Festival - Highly Recommended, Art series "Rotation"
Mar 2024 United Kingdom, FORMAT Portfolio Award - Source Portfolio Award, Art series "Rotation"
Publication and Writing
Nov 2025 Art Paper Editions, "Rotation" Photobook
Mar 2025 Hong Kong SAR, China, Interview - City Magazine MAR 2025 Issue # 580, "Time Traveler in the Camera Obscura"
Jun 2024 Nearest Truth Editions, "Cloud and Stone" Photobook object, details in https://www.qiuyangzi.com/cloud-and-stone-book/a
