Chenjun Ren

Lives and works in London, UK

Artist statement

My practice starts with creating a simple but strict rule. After the rule is established, I put my body inside it and let time, place, and unexpected situations shape what happens. I do not use performance to express emotions or tell a story. Instead, I create a real condition and observe how the body responds to it. Each work begins with a rule, but the result is never completely predictable. The duration of the action, the resistance of materials, the environment, and accidental events all become part of the work. I am interested in what happens when a fixed condition meets a changing reality. I grew up in a rural town in China, where discipline and rules were part of everyday life. My early memories of family rituals, social expectations, and the process of animal slaughter shaped my understanding of the body. I began to see the body not only as something personal, but also as something that can be controlled, trained, and placed under pressure. My practice is also influenced by the classical Chinese idea of sijian (死谏). I do not treat it as a historical event, but as a personal attitude: the decision to continue following a chosen principle even when it becomes difficult or impossible. Through performance, I explore how a self-imposed rule can transform the relationship between the mind and the body. Although my works often involve repetition, physical effort, and endurance, they are not about showing strength or overcoming pain. I am interested in the moment when a...

Artwork