Artists born in the 1970s grew up in the 1990s, a time when marketization was pushed forward in China rapidly and aggressively. This change began with the cooling down of the political hurly-burly and ended with China's entry into the World Trade Organization. The connection between Chinese society and the world outside has become increasingly intensified. The vision and opportunity of these artists as well as the times and society they are living in are totally different from those of the artists born in the 1950s and 1960s. There are more choices for them and hence more "anxiety of influence.” Various subcultures including pop, mouleitau (“nonsensical" in Cantonese) and“play cool" cultures come and grow to be a way of living and a sign of consumption with a strong appeal to the public, democratizing art among ordinary people and，meanwhile, consolidating the power of consumerism. The styles of these artists are refreshing, easy-going，sensitive, plain and innovative. Their fashionable images, full of energy, demonstrate the revolutionary spirit of young people, the highlighting of individuality, and the dissolution and overthrow of hierarchy and boundary. However, an element of haste on concept creation can also be detected in their works.
Yin Zhaoyang. His works indicate the psychological path that the artist has been through in different stages of life, from a fragile and sentimental young heart, to mythology, to historical threads and finally to the landscapes in recent years, which try to bring In a brand new interpretation by expanding the traditional concept of mountains and water. Such changes reflect the inner development and pursuit of the artist.
Ouyang Chun,excels in mimicking children's scribbles in his art works.
Li Songsong. By using Intensive brushwork and color blocks, the artist manages to create a unique style in his painting, mimicking that of high-relief carvings. His works are usually based on old photos and depict political or historical events.
Jia Aili. His works cover painting, sculpture, and large Installation. "The February Talk" (eryuewuyu) series and "The Wasteland"(fengjing) series are among his most famous works.
Wang Guangle. He is a member of the‘N12" art group and one of the important artists who were born in the 1970s. The artist integrates his reflections upon the customs and andent crafts in his hometown Into his abstract painting language, highlighting the expression of "time" and "process”.
Qiu Xiaofei. He is a member of the "N12" art group. His works cover oil painting, three-dimensional painting-sculpture, and installation.He integrates concept and aesthetics in a unique way and his works articulate the relationship between memory and history as well as the subjective nature of life experience. Qiu is an Important artist representing the 70s generation.
As an important figure representing the most recent generation of artists In China, Li made his debut with his Finding the Differences (dajialaizhaocha) created in 2005. His works cover a variety of art media Including oil painting, Installation,photography, and video. He now teaches at Hangzhou Normal University.
Chen Ke. A round-nosed girl, as the artist’s signature creation, has appeared in many of her works, She is good at using blank spaces and the painted part carries the texture of porcelain plate painting. Her works also feature a mixed use of ready-made calico, painting media, and traditional painting pigments.
Ji Dachun. His paintings coversymbolic concrete objects,abstract landscapes, and still Lives. A luxurious use of blank spaces is an important element in his painting. The themes of his works include historical figures, cartoon animals, children's toys, and everyday objects, which create a sharp contrast against the white blank background.
Director:Wang Wei
Curator:Wang Huangsheng, Cao Qinghui, Guo Xiaoyan
