A chimp off the old block: artist Lisa Roet monkeys around in Beijing
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

If there is one way to attract attention on Beijing’s frenetic streets, placing a giant 14 metre-tall golden monkey inflatable sculpture on the façade of the Kengo Kuma-designed The Opposite House, one of the most iconic hotels in the capital, is certainly the way to go about it. Although undoubtedly whimsical, the work by Australian artist Lisa Roet, delivers a serious message about global warming and habitat loss affecting the rare golden sneezing snub-nosed monkey native to the forested China-Myanmar border.
The species, whose flat nose is uniquely adapted to its icy climate, was recently discovered after local villagers heard it sneezing, caused by melting ice. ‘The installation includes the sound of intermittent sneezes, which are quite cute and helps draw people in who are intrigued by the sight of a monkey climbing up the side of the hotel,’ says Roet. ‘It doesn't just appeal to children, an old woman who has a cat on a lead comes every day to sit and look at the monkey and many people on the street stop to stare at it. This is what I hoped it would do.’
Installation view of 'Golden Sneezing Snub Nosed Monkey'.
Made in Melbourne, the hand-stitched inflatable sculpture comprises a fine lightweight metallic material that looks like gold metal. The hotel’s dappled emerald green glass façade offered the perfect urban forest background, says Roet. ‘It is such a stunning building and the façade reminds me of the colours of Borneo. The urban habitat also underlies the message of monkeys being forced out of their natural habitat.’
Roet’s primate-inspired work extends inside with a showing of her innovative intricate jewellery inspired by primate features taken from cast renderings and rubbings from museums around the world.
Roet’s primate-inspired work extends inside with a showing of her innovative intricate jewellery inspired by primate features taken from cast renderings and rubbings from museums around the world
INFORMATION
The installation is on view until 30 October. For more information, visit the Opposite House website (opens in new tab)
ADDRESS
Taikoo Li Sanlitun North
No 11 Sanlitun Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing
VIEW GOOGLE MAPS (opens in new tab)
-
The best art gifts for the creative in your life
With Valentine's Day 2023 on the horizon, get inspired with our ongoing guide to the best art gifts
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas creates the set for Dior’s Josephine Baker-inspired couture show
American artist Mickalene Thomas collaborated with Maria Grazia Chiuri on the scenography for the designer’s latest Dior haute couture show in a celebration of pioneering Black women
By Jack Moss • Published
-
2023 USA Fellows revealed, including these inspiring designers and architects
United States Artists announces its 2023 USA Fellows, including these designers and architects making a difference
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Ryoji Ikeda and Grönlund-Nisunen saturate Berlin gallery in sound, vision and visceral sensation
At Esther Schipper gallery Berlin, artists Ryoji Ikeda and Grönlund-Nisunen draw on the elemental forces of sound and light in a meditative and disorienting joint exhibition
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
London art exhibitions: a guide for early 2023
Your guide to the best London art exhibitions, and those around the UK, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
By Harriet Lloyd Smith • Published
-
Cecilia Vicuña’s ‘Brain Forest Quipu’ wins Best Art Installation in the 2023 Wallpaper* Design Awards
Brain Forest Quipu, Cecilia Vicuña's Hyundai Commission at Tate Modern, has been crowned 'Best Art Installation' in the 2023 Wallpaper* Design Awards
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Michael Heizer’s Nevada ‘City’: the land art masterpiece that took 50 years to conceive
Michael Heizer’s City in the Nevada Desert (1972-2022) has been awarded ‘Best eighth wonder’ in the 2023 Wallpaper* design awards. We explore how this staggering example of land art came to be
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Cyprien Gaillard on chaos, reorder and excavating a Paris in flux
We interviewed French artist Cyprien Gaillard ahead of his major two-part show, ‘Humpty \ Dumpty’ at Palais de Tokyo and Lafayette Anticipations (until 8 January 2023). Through abandoned clocks, love locks and asbestos, he dissects the human obsession with structural restoration
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Cerith Wyn Evans: ‘I love nothing more than neon in direct sunlight. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful’
Cerith Wyn Evans reflects on his largest show in the UK to date, at Mostyn, Wales – a multisensory, neon-charged fantasia of mind, body and language
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
The best 7 Christmas installations in London for art lovers
As London decks its halls for the festive season, explore our pick of the best Christmas installations for the art-, design- and fashion-minded
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Vanessa Beecroft’s ethereal performance and sculpture exhibition explore Sicily’s cultural history
At the historic Palazzo Abatellis, Sicily, Vanessa Beecroft has unveiled ‘VB94’, a new tableau vivant comprising a one-time performance and a new series of sculptures, the latter on view until 8 January
By Hili Perlson • Published