By Liu Zheng
Located in Chicago, IL
In 1994, Chinese artist Liu Zheng (b. 1969, Wuquan, Hebei, China) conceived of an ambitious photographic project called the Chinese, which occupied him for seven years and carried him throughout China. Inspired by the examples of August Sander and Diane Arbus, he has captured a people and country in a unique time of great flux, providing a startling vision of the deep-rooted historical forces and cultural attitudes that continue to shape China and its people. Liu seeks out moments in which archetypal Chinese characters are encountered in extreme and unexpected situations. His photographs are divided among a number of topics which betray a dark vision, albeit one that is laced with mordant humor. This image shows a traditional opera performer in full makeup and costume, astride a donkey who is relieving himself, juxtaposed with a stonefaced young man in street dress.
Liu Zheng’s works have been widely exhibited and collected by museums including Yale Gallery...
Category
1990s Chinese Photography