Ding Yi in conversation with Dr Yu-ping Luk at The British Museum, London, 3 October

9 September 2025

Book Tickets

Join artist Ding Yi, famed for his abstract art and signature motifs '+' and 'x', as he discusses his practice with Dr Yu-ping Luk, Head of the China section at the British Museum. Ding Yi's work combines abstraction and modernism with his own Chinese cultural heritage. Through the repeated use of 'crosses', Ding (b. 1962) explores the possibilities of colour, composition, material and techniques, as well as his perception of the highly urbanised environment of the Shanghai metropolis.

He's joined by the British Museum's Dr Yu-ping Luk, Head of the China section and Basil Gray Curator of Chinese Paintings, Prints and Central Asia, who will expand on the artistic elements that link to traditional Chinese brush-and-ink painting. Also learn about how curatorial teams are working to develop the contemporary Chinese collections at The British Museum.

Ding's work 70 Circles 七十個圓 is part of the rotating display of contemporary Chinese works displayed in the China and South Asia gallery (Room 33), The Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery, and will be on display during this event.

Friday 3 October 2025, 6:30pm
The British Museum, Room 33, The Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery, Great Russell Street, London

Find out more via The British Museum.

Image: Ding Yi, Appearance of Crosses 2025-8, 2025, Acrylic, water-soluble color pencil and woodcuts on basswood, 120 x 240 x 6.7 cm; 47 1/4 x 94 1/2 x 2 5/8 in. © Ding Yi, Courtesy Ding Yi Art Studio and Lisson Gallery