Background information
"Wang QINGSONG, the enfant terrible of contemporary Chinese photography, combines in his works traditional techniques of Chinese painting with a deeply rooted protest attitude towards everything 'official'. His artistic style has similarities with Chinese Pop of the 1980s: he integrates trademarks with typical Pop Art characteristics into his works, thus commenting on his rapidly changing environment in an amusing and colorful way. These works may be comparable to kitsch art from other countries; however, it has a deeper meaning that they were created in China of all places: the Chinese photographer is aware of the fierce attack on his society by consumerism, materialism and commercialism. In his photographic productions, he pokes fun at this attitude towards life and its growing importance by combining symbols originating in the East with those of the Western market. A significant part of his work consists of self-portraits in which he iconically questions the direction his culture is taking." (© Hatje Cantz, 2006)