Dongbay (Yübo Xü)

Dongbay (Yübo Xü) is an artist and designer based in Beijing and Shanghai. Combining a background in chemistry and visual arts, his interdisciplinary work spans installations, painting, film, and writing. Exploring themes of climate, coloniality, and human-nature relationships, his practice emphasizes sustainability and challenges industrialized existence. Through immersive research and projects like *Synthetic Totem*, he reimagines urban elements as ecological totems, advocating harmony between modernity and the environment.

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"As an eco-warrior and multidisciplinary artist, I am deeply committed to exploring the

interconnection between humanity and nature, emphasizing the urgent need for harmony in the face of ecological disruption. My practice spans non-fiction writing, painting, installations, and film, rooted in extensive fieldwork and research that traverse both urban and rural environments. From the vanishing landscapes of the Aral Sea to the untouched wilderness of Sumatra, my work reflects on the consequences of human activity on the natural world and reimagines ways to coexist sustainably.

With a foundation in applied chemistry and visual arts, I merge scientific inquiry with

artistic exploration to address critical environmental and social issues. Projects like

"Synthetic Totem" reinterpret urban technologies as symbols of reconnection, bridging

modern civilization and primal ecological instincts.

My practice is collaborative, experimental, and deeply committed to inspiring awareness and action. By examining themes like ecological balance, belief systems, and the impact of human activity on nature, I aim to create works that challenge viewers to rethink their relationship with the planet. Each piece is a call to prioritize sustainability, restoration, and resilience in the face of environmental crisis."