Hailing from Yangjiang, a coastal city in Guangdong Province, Yangjiang Group was formed by the artist Zheng Guogu in 2002 with members Chen Zaiyan and Sun Qinglin. With a focus on social action, their work spans installation, painting, performance and calligraphy. Yangjiang Group has a belief that culture can be practiced by anyone, and possess a desire to break the hierarchies and social privileges that inform traditions like calligraphy. Yangjiang Group imbue its work with a sincere anti-authoritative streak.

In developing this exhibition 4A’s invitation to Yangjiang Group was to engage with the gallery and administration areas of the organisation. Yangjiang Group has responded by devising a daily action for 4A staff called Tea Office (2015). Each morning staff will prepare and drink a cycle of Chinese teas for the duration of the exhibition. The artists have chosen these teas for their therapeutic qualities and the effects they have on the mind and body, which is a particular process valued by the artists. By encouraging a daily ritual, the artists offer an activity to observe shifts in sensory and spiritual perception and to consider the organisation’s administrative and cultural functions.

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