m97 Gallery Shanghai is pleased to present “ON EDGE” a solo exhibition of recent photography works by artist YANG YONG. The exhibition begins on September 6, 2011, and m97 Gallery will hold an opening reception for the artist on Tuesday September 6 from 5:00 to 8:00pm in the gallery, as part of the SH Contemporary Art Fair VIP Programme.

The exhibition comprises photographs spanning the last 3 years, from Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing, shown at m97 for the first time. Yang Yong’s continued focus of photographing urban youth aims to document the ever-changing zeitgeist of his generation, China’s youth born in the 1970’s and 80’s. Part documentarian, part director, Yang Yong creates works that capture both intimacy and staged isolation. Predominantly populated by female friends and models, Yang’s works encapsulate a self-conscious, often anxious or impatient feeling. His subjects evoke a tension found in Chinese contemporary society in its struggle towards individuality with also a longing not able to be satisfied by material growth and progress alone.

Yang Yong (b. 1975) studied oil painting in the Art Institute of his native Sichuan and soon after graduating started experimenting with video and photography. In 2003, Yang Yong’s works were exhibited at the Venice Biennale China Pavilion, as well as at Les Rencontres d’Arles Festival, where he was awarded the best new artist prize. In 2004, he was selected to participate in the seminal exhibition “Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video From China” at the International Center of Photography in New York. His works have often been likened to those of Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman and Wolfgang Tillmans. Yang Yong’s works have been exhibited and collected worldwide.