Liu Xiaodong, a professor in the Central Academy of Fine Arts, is an outstanding figure in the new generation of Chinese artists. He is good at depicting the dilemma of modern individuals with realistic art languages so that he is titled ¡°New Realism¡± by some critics. Unlike many others, Liu Xiaodong pays a lot of attention to his artistic skills. His personal achievements have won him praises from both art critics and the public, while the market records of his works of art are becoming better and better since 1980s. The Relaxation depicts two young men, who are having rest in a small bed. One of them has fallen asleep, while the other is thinking of something. The small bed, the paper box under the bed, and the small electric stove tell us that they are living in poverty. They have to struggle for bread everyday. They have beautiful dreams and do not know how to make them realized. The situation is typical for young people. They are always expecting something, and are always worrying for something. The time is flying and they don¡¯t know what they could do for themselves. They often find themselves spend time for nothing. They are not willing to spend their lives in this way, but they do not know how they could change this situation. Liu Xiaodong is very good at representing this situation. It is the situation of his friends and classmates. It is also the situation of him when he was young.