BRIGHTON.- First presented at Shanghai’s V Art Centre in 2013, The Dissident- now joined by the work of Brighton-based artist Jim Sanders- searches for proximity in the work of two artists placed at a distance culturally, artistically and geographically.

Instigated by Shanghai- based artist Zhou Ming, the exhibition permits him to define as a dissident in the name of finding a more specific definition of his individual significance, personally, politically and artistically.

The inherent conflicts embedded in the search for an individuality devoid of narcissism has informed the work in this exhibition, with Sanders’ imagery convulsing in the extremes of an over indulged society and Zhou Ming’s answering with the haunting phantoms of societal suppression.

The futility of dissenting from an unclear ideology is compared here with the very real danger of being labelled a dissenter, this begs the question: can we ever really surpass authority’s control over self-construction.

A conversation in exchange, the exhibition will create a lasting cultural dialogue between Brighton and Shanghai and is accompanied by a program of related events to discuss, in person, the motivations of the artists and curators for collaborating on a project of this kind.

Born in Harbin (China) Zhou Ming is currently living and working in Shanghai as an independent artist. He primarily works in animation, installation and painting.

Jim Sanders lives and works in Brighton and has exhibited work extensively across Europe. Affiliated with outsider art, Sanders’ work consists of painting, printing, collage, constructed sculpture and murals.