Have you ever considered contemporary Chinese art as "art" itself? Most people don't. Contemporary Chinese art took off as a genre rich in political elements, with works by leading artists such as Luo Zhongli and Gao Xiaohua characterized by their revolutionary, historical and collectivistic themes. But now Iberia Center for Contemporary Art (ICCA) invites people to its new exhibition "Looking Awry: The Unconscious in Contemporary Chinese Art," which opened September 22 and includes pure contemporary Chinese art for art's sake.

Jointly launched by the ICCA and Beijing Lelege Culture and Art Company, the exhibition features more than 40 artworks by 18 Chinese artists including Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun and Chen Wenling. Showcased artworks include paintings, installations and sculptures that reflect a wide range of themes, yet all share a common aim: to express artists' individual thoughts.

Xu Gang, the exhibition's curator, said the show seeks to whisk contemporary Chinese art away from its traditional historical, social, political and cultural roots. "It marks a return to the individuals, a return to the basics," Xu told Metro Beijing. "On this occasion, we are providing visitors with the chance to observe art from the artists' perspective without the context of a greater social background."

Xu described contemporary Chinese art as very "straightforward, naked and integrated," which invites comprehension and appreciation from the public. Yet he pointed out that the artists also hide their secrets beneath the surfaces of their works.

"In the past, they usually refused to show their intention and anxiety to the public," said Xu. "But great artworks are usually multilayered and touch more viewers. To approach these artworks, we need to look awry instead of look straight."

Among the most notable local artists participating in the exhibition is Yue, renowned for his cynical realist artworks depicting figures enraptured in laughter. He invites viewers to draw their own interpretations from his painting Re-Portrait Series 11-18, which depicts a girl's face made with shreds of paper. Different from other artists who may "reassemble" her face to create a Picasso-like abstract art feeling, Yue maintained the face's original structure to express a "peeling off" experience.

"Looking awry for Yue is to look behind the fa?ade but find nothing. The image itself is enough to be meaningful," said Xu.

When: Until October 7

Where: Iberia Center for Contemporary Art, 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

Admission: Free

Contact: 5234-9099