The recent series of the Shanghai born artist, Xiao Lei, depicts an unusual reflection on the question of urban alienation, amorous and sexual gratification and the loss of desire. Two distinct branches are drawn from the thematic source, “Testimony" and "Criticism", offering alternate visions rendered in oils which challenge preconceptions of art, sensuality and identification. The exhibition marks several years evolution and a rapid execution upon themes which are interwoven and, yet, separate. Abandon, emptiness, and vacuity are mirrored in the works, Xiao Lei’s colorist manner simultaneously bridging individual, sexual and social strata. The ephemeral and vague are elucidated upon by the artist in a painterly fashion, whether one reflects upon the brutal urban renewal of modern China, the sexual liberation of the younger generation lost in a time of commercial saturation, or the loss of tradition and embrace of less banal artistry, the work achieves coherency, formalist considerations secondary to the subjective expression of an artist at work in a paradox of convention and innovation. The attempt to transcend intimate motifs, sheer personal expression and embed his own art in the vast fabric of time.The exhibition opens on Oct .20.2007 – Nov.03.2007 at FEIZI Gallery.