British artist Michaela Yearwood-Dan has opened her first solo exhibition in China, titled “RECESS,” at the Longlati Foundation in Shanghai. The show features paintings and ceramics that explore themes of play, fluidity, and cultural identity, drawing on influences from Chinese calligraphy and tai chi. In an interview, Yearwood-Dan discusses her childlike approach to making the work and her desire for viewers to feel a personal connection. A concurrent exhibition, “Georgia Gardner Gray: Metal Madonna,” is also on view at the foundation.
This exhibition marks a significant milestone for Yearwood-Dan, who is known for synthesizing contemporary realities such as Blackness, queerness, and carnival into her practice. The Longlati Foundation, co-founded by David Su and Zihao Chen, serves as a platform for diverse international voices, and Yearwood-Dan’s show underscores the growing global reach of emerging artists. The work’s emphasis on freedom and inclusivity reflects broader trends in contemporary art toward personal expression and cross-cultural dialogue.