Artist: Ye Tao

Born in Hefei, Anhui Province 1967, he graduated from the Art Department of Anhui Normal University, majoring in oil painting in 1990. In the period 1993-1995 he attended advanced studies in the Central Art Academy of Beijing.

Series: Shanghai Baby, 2008, Oil on Canvas, 105x150cm

Ye Tao made him known with his first “Shanghai Baby” . Following the incredible success of this pioneer work, he decided to extend it to a whole series: ten more paintings representing the close up of a Chinese, young, desirable woman, on the background of Shanghai. Sensuality and political references melt into the deliberate choice of details, such as the red star on military hat. Behind her, the skyline illuminated by violent neon lights seems to be dissolving under a thick and dark layer of fumes.

Secretary He and his mistress, 2008, Oil on Canvas, 350X200cm

The artist doesn’t hide his intention to attack the current Chinese state of affairs, particularly in Shanghai, the display window of China’s new course. Here, as he states, all the conflicts between social classes, tradition and modernity, official juridical system and favoritism, are highlighted by an unrestrained ambition, particularly among the new generations of Chinese.

Since Ye Tao is still working on these pieces, we wouldn’t want to spoil your curiosity, sending photos of unfinished work.

 

Artist: Zhao Ping

The standard ideal of feminine beauty, in China, at the moment, is going under a violent process of transformation. Western aesthetic parameters are liquefying in contact with whitening acids and skin softeners, popular Asian beauty treatments. The result is evidently a fascinating and consumer-oriented mix between Chinese traditional aesthetic tendencies and western popular culture. The mechanisms of shaping and exploitation of the beauty market by advertising companies and cinema industry in China, are a central concern in Zhao Ping’s work.

His canvases are patiently covered with a layer of shiny sequins, to outline distressed portraits of glamorous blockbuster actresses.

Beauty Member I, 2007, Bead on Canvas, 60x70cm

 

Artist: He Bin

Born in 1970 in Kangding, Sichuan. A professional painter, he lives and works in Shanghai. The artist, coming from a very remote area of western China, focuses his work on the striking iconography of young generations of urban teenagers. Borrowing his characters from comic books, video games, historical imagery and sci-fi movies he melts them into a by-chrome, saturated atmosphere.

The contrast between his overpowering red and synthetic green is now a very recognizable trademark of He Bin’s practice, both in China and abroad.

Below is a selection of his recent works.