Upward (2025) reinterprets Huang Yulong’s signature hooded figure through the warmth and natural grain of Golden Nanmu wood.

Standing upright with its hands tucked into its pockets, the anonymous figure retains the relaxed posture and contemporary streetwear that characterize Huang’s sculptural language. Here, however, the material introduces a different presence: the flowing grain, tonal variations and polished surface of the wood become an integral part of the figure itself.

The hollow face beneath the hood preserves the sense of anonymity central to Huang Yulong’s work, while the traditional material creates a dialogue between contemporary urban culture and Chinese craftsmanship.

Carved in Golden Nanmu wood, Upward was created in 2025 in an edition of 8.