Fang Lijun, a leading figure of China’s early 1990s Cynical Realist movement, captures the disillusionment of his generation – reflecting the pervasive sense of helplessness in Chinese society during that period.

This exhibition celebrates the artistry of this contemporary artist, featuring over 100 artworks on loan from his studios in Beijing and Jingdezhen, as well as private collections. It proudly showcases Fang’s iconic paintings, characterised by large, anonymous figures with shaven heads; alongside early pencil drawings from his formative years and ceramics produced in recent years.

Among these ceramics are delicate porcelain structures, once supported by organic matrixes that burnt away during the kiln process, a symbol of precariousness. The exhibition presents small test pieces alongside medium and large-scale works, many of which once again incorporate anonymous and distant faces, reminiscent of those found in his earlier monumental paintings.

Image: Oil Painting No 4, 1991-1992 · Fang Lijun · Oil on Canvas · © Fang Lijun Studio