One of the key leaders of the post ‘89 Cynical Realism movement in Beijing, Fang Lijun is highly acclaimed for his politically charged yet light-hearted paintings that lend a commentary on the drastic social transformations that followed the end of the Cultural Revolution. Through his signature portraitures of bald heads, Fang characterizes the disenchantment of the young generation in the oppressed state of “New China”, which was burdened by the rise of capitalism.

The two lots are highly characteristic of Fangs’ unique artistry that was adapted from his training in Surrealist Realism at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China. Fang applies the ancient technique of woodblock printmaking to create paintings that are monochromatic and simplified in visual elements of brushstroke and decoration. Hence, the viewer’s focus is directed towards the protagonists that exhibit ambiguous facial expressions. The shaved heads of the subjects convey a double connotation; it can either imply the inner state of cynicism and rebellion of the youth in search of individuality, or symbolize the conformist nature of soldiers, monks and prisoners that are obligated to be hairless.