Beijing based artist Song Dong uses performance, photography, video and installation to explore ideas of transience, perception and the ephemeral nature of existence.

His works are acute observations and critiques of the current political, social and economic changes that are transforming China into a freewheeling capitalist environment.

Rather than making a simple commentary, Song Dong's work is more inward looking, reflecting on personal circumstances and philosophies to help him relate to the 'outside world'.

Solo

While Song Dong has exhibited worldwide, Water Works is his first major solo exhibition in Britain.

Using the theme of water, the show groups some of his most important works.

These include Stamping the Water, a series of 36 photos documenting his performance in a river near Lhasa where he used an ancient stamp of the word 'water' to comment on the political and social effort of branding, marking and owning the river.

Water Works at the Chinease Arts Centre to 13 February 2005

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