The late Ren Hang used the photographic medium to depict scenes of spontaneity, where the young naked subjects are staged in explicit poses. Ren carefully choreographed the compositional arrangement, iconic make-up (e.g. red lips and red finger nails) and mise-en-scène, all of which straddle between meticulous intentionality and momentary inspiration. Despite the playful and colourful scenes filled with young and beautiful bodies, his images portray certain human conditions filled with loneliness and vulnerability.
Ren was awarded the Outset | Unseen Exhibition Fund at Unseen, Amsterdam, in 2016 and Third Terna Contemporary Art Award, Italy, in 2010. His solo exhibitions include the Sozzani Foundation (Milan, 2020), Maison Européenne de la Photographie (Paris, 2019), Fotografiska (Stockholm, 2017), and Foam Fotografiemuseum (the Netherlands, 2017). He took part in group exhibition at Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung (Munich, 2025 & 2020), White Rabbit Gallery (Sydney, 2025 & 2022), Para Site (Hong Kong, 2024), WestLicht. Schauplatz für Fotografie (Vienna, 2024), Centre for Contemporary Photography (Melbourne, 2024), Museum of Australian Photography (Melbourne, 2023), Tai Kwun Contemporary (Hong Kong, 2022), OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (Shenzhen, 2018), Three Shadows Photography Art Center (Beijing, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014 & 2011), Minsheng Art Museum (Shanghai, 2014), Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing, 2011), and Rencontres d’Arles Festival (Paris, 2011).
Ren’s works is collected by National Gallery of Australia (Australia), White Rabbit Gallery (Australia), Art Museum of Central Academy of Fine Art (China), Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (China), Kansas State University Art Museum (USA), Multimedia Art Museum (Russia), and Sunpride Foundation (Hong Kong).
Ren died in Beijing, China in 2017.
