Tutor/ Fine art tutoring director

Yang Yi, a new-generation Chinese artist in New Zealand, was born in 1989 and graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Auckland University of Technology. His artwork reflects an environmentalist attitude, with a strong commitment to using recycled scrap metal. Yang Yi’s sculptures are highly popular in both China and Western countries and have been displayed in landmark locations in many cities.

Highlights:

2010: Yang Yi’s large-scale sculpture "Primordial King Kong" was exhibited at Beijing’s Bird's Nest Stadium, becoming the world’s first 1:1 Transformers-themed sculpture.

2014: Yang Yi was invited to design and create the milestone commemorative sculpture "Drunken Jackie" for international film star Jackie Chan, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his career.

2016: Yang Yi became the youngest artist globally to be selected for the world-class sculpture hall, Gibbs Farm. His sculpture "Marshall Alan" was permanently installed at Gibbs Farm in 2017.

2022: Yang Yi’s art exhibition We Are One was held in downtown Auckland, New Zealand. The exhibition caused a sensation, with multiple Oscar winners attending to support the artist.

Tutor/ Design tutoring director

He graduated with dual degrees in Industrial Design from the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts and Urban Planning from Wuhan University, and later studied Architecture at the University of Auckland. During his time as a student, he taught at an art studio in China, focusing on fundamental art education and intensive training for art college entrance exams. After moving to New Zealand, he continued to work in the local art education field, teaching subjects such as foundational art, portfolio guidance, DVC (Design and Visual Communication), and art assignment tutoring. Many of his students successfully entered design programs at universities in New Zealand and Australia. His teaching style is solid, simple, and pragmatic, with a focus on helping students build a strong knowledge framework and understand the underlying logic of drawing skills. His goal is to teach students how to learn, fostering a genuine love for art and design and the joy of mastering skills.

In addition to his role as an art teacher, he is an active architectural designer, studying architecture in New Zealand. He is also involved in commercial real estate and residential development, familiar with the entire process of architectural drawing design, on-site construction techniques, and detailed architectural elements. During his architectural career, he continues to mentor local university students in architecture and trains newcomers in architectural design.

Awards:

"ZhiMei Elite" Talent Reserve Scholarship, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts

Gold Award in the Painting Category, Hubei Provincial Art Exhibition (Academy Group)

Beicun Scholarship Recipient, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts

Silver Award, CDN China Automotive Design Competition (Commercial Vehicle Group)

Second Prize, Aofei Entertainment China Toy Design Competition

Top 500 Finalist in the Global UI Design Competition, Huawei Global Mobile Theme Design Contest

Gold Award in G-ART Game Character Design Competition

First Prize in "Chu Charm" Tourism Souvenir Product Design Competition

Tutor/Fine art

Member of the China Artists Association (pending final approval)

Member of the Guangdong Artists Association

Participant in the "Guangzhou National Young Artists Training Program" (Phase III)

Education:

Graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (Bachelor's Degree) in 2010

Graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (Master's Degree) in 2023

Selected Achievements and Exhibitions:

2024: Oil painting "Pillar Standing Firm in the Midst of Flow" selected for the "75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China - Guangdong Art Exhibition," awarded "Excellence Prize"; also selected for the "14th National Art Exhibition."

2024: Oil painting "Flat Lake Emerging from High Gorges II" selected for the "Picturesque Landscapes - 2024 Landscape Oil Painting Exhibition."

2023: Oil painting "Story of Time" selected for the "8th Guangdong Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition."

2023: Oil painting "Guangzhou Story - Yuexiu South" selected for the "2022·Beautiful Bay Area - National Chinese Painting, Oil Painting, and Animation Exhibition."

2022: Oil painting "Flat Lake Emerging from High Gorges" selected for the "2022·3rd Shenzhen Dafen International Oil Painting Biennale" (Award-winning Work).

2021: Collaborative oil painting "New Framework for Opening Up to the World" selected for the large-scale art project "Remain True to Our Original Aspiration, Continue Forward - Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China."

"West Gate After Rain" selected for the "7th Guangdong Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition."

"Song of the Flower City" selected for the "Beautiful Life - Guangdong Provincial Art Exhibition."

2019: Oil painting "Flowing Epic - The Grand Canal" selected for the "Poetic Grand Canal - National Oil Painting Exhibition."

2016: Oil painting "Shangjiu East" selected for the "John Moores Painting Prize."

2014: Oil painting "Before the Park" selected for the "65th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China - Guangdong Art Exhibition," awarded "Excellence Prize" (highest award); also selected for the "12th National Art Exhibition."

2013: Oil painting "Jiangnan West" selected for the "2013 National Oil Painting Exhibition."

2012: Oil painting "Traces of the Past" selected for the "2012 Guangdong Youth Art Exhibition"; also selected for the "2nd Nanjing International Art Exhibition."

These achievements highlight his extensive contributions to both Chinese and international art scenes, focusing primarily on oil painting.