Framing growing cultural connections

He knew some of the basics about Chinese culture before making the journey. And he is interested in Eastern philosophy. So, after his arrival in Beijing, he started learning Chinese and reading the seminal Taoist work, Tao Te Ching.

"I had to come here to dive into the culture and experience it firsthand to understand the book," the 37-year-old says.

"And that was the amazing part of it. When I went back and my friends asked me to tell them about China, there is no word to describe it. You have to live it."

During those two months, he also encountered other artists and art experts, who expressed recognition of his work. Jury member of Yishu 8's China Prize Tony Brown, who is also a guest professor at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, invited him to teach at the academy, which led him to live in Beijing for four years, teaching new media art and design.

Now based in London, he recently came back to Beijing for an exhibition of Yishu 8 prize laureates, titled Histoire d'Yishu 8 Residence d'Artistes Franco-Chinoise (History of Yishu 8 French-Chinese Artist Residency).

As this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, Yishu 8 hosted the exhibition from April 20 to 28 at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

Displayed on-site are 56 works from various media, including paintings, sculptures, videos and installations, by 34 French and Chinese artists who have participated in the residency.