Made in China

Made in China

2005
Artist
Sui Jianguo, Chinese, 1956
Born: Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
Work Locations: Beijing, China
Country
China
Object
sculpture
Medium
Fiberglass and paint
Accession Number
2011.357
Credit Line
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum

 Sui Jianguo (Chinese), Made in China, 2005; edition 1 of 4. Painted fiberglass; 78 ¾ x 40 1/8 x 72 7/8 in. Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum, 2011.357. © Sui Jianguo.

Dimensions
height: 78 3/4 in, 200.0250 cm; width: 40 1/8 in, 101.9175 cm; depth: 72 7/8 in, 185.1025 cm; weight,large_weight: 200 lbs, 90.7185 kg
Edition
1/4
Department
Modern and Contemporary Art
Collection
Modern and Contemporary Art

In the early 1990s, Sui Jianguo began precisely recreating tiny toy dinosaurs, but in monumental proportions. He conceived of his huge dinosaurs after visiting Shenzen, the Chinese city where these toy dinosaurs are mass-produced. The artist transforms these cheap, plastic objects into monumental works of art. The phrase “Made in China”—featured prominently on the dinosaur’s stomach— is well-known. In fact, “Made in China” is more recognizable than any Chinese brand name. Sui Jianguo’s work participates in the politics of high art and consumerism and raises questions about what has value, who is selling, and who is buying?

Known Provenance
Collection of Vicki and Kent Logan, Aspen, CO; gift, Denver Art Museum, 2011
Exhibition History
  • “Disruption: Works from the Vicki and Kent Logan Collection” — Denver Art Museum, 1/13/2022