Author: 王广义
Size: 149*119cm
Signed and dated: Dated 2005
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dated 2005 and signed in Pinyin & Chinese
There are two movements that are most influential in contemporary Chinese art, one of which is Cynical Realism and the other is Political Pop. Wang Guangyi is the most important artist in Political Pop. It is easy to see that Wang Guanyi as well as other artists in Political Pop have borrowed something from Andy Warhol, the American Pop artist. Just as Fang Lijun and Yue Minjun, Wang Guangyi is good at making fun of political events. He used to paint the portraits of Chairman Mao. Then he turned to make prints by combining the images of red guards with the labels of western brands such as Coca-cola, Marlboro, Coco Chanel and so on, and named them Mass Criticism in general while each painting has a subtitle. The fact is especially important and effective because the red guards are soldiers against western life styles. By transferring them into advertisements for promoting the sale of western commodities, Wang Guanyi has made fun of the rather strict political dogmas and represented the changed social situation. Mass Criticism – CAMEL is one of these paintings. Wang Guangyi put the label “CAMEL” on the head of two red guards as if they are advertising for the American cigarettes. People could hardly hold from laughing any time they encounter such a painting because it is so cynical and thoughtful so that it has destructed the solemnity of political affairs.