Studio Visit Caochangdi and Songzhuang

10 Years ago, thanks to the China Culture Center in Beijing, I had the opportunity to join a series of visits to artist studios in Caochangdi and Songzhuang. The artwork and spaces pictured here include those of photographer Wang Qingsong, painters Huang Yin and Huo Qing, and sculptor Wang Yiqiong, who demonstrated his technique of exhaling his own cigarette smoke to create brown stains on white surfaces.

These artist colonies emerged in the 1990s on farming land, away from the city center, and offered a supportive community and space for artistics freedom. While the 798 District has become more commercialized and entertainment oriented, Caochangdi and Songzhuang remained relatively quiet and continued to serve as home and workspace for many artists. However, their existence has been threatened in recent years as Beijing’s urban development continues to expand.