In drawings, paintings, installations, and video works, Yuan Shun creates surreal landscapes that occupy a space between reality and fiction, past and future. Depicting barren, planetary landscapes that are often smoke-shrouded and evocative of scenes from science fiction, Yuan has said his visions are “metaphysical or symbolic representations of the cosmos.” Primarily known for his paintings, Yuan also builds models of extraterrestrial scenery and conducts performances, such as one in which he traversed a gallery space in an astronaut suit. The images and structures he creates embody psychological terrains, as well as referencing China’s rapidly expanding urban skyline. Trained at the art college of the People’s Liberation Army, Yuan studied Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and has described the book as a major and continuing influence on his work.