It is fortunate that some dealers remain comitted to showing artists from Mainland China without being affected by the frequently changing status of sinoamerican relations. Max Protetch has been following an interesting path, organizing shows that focus on Chinese artists that still live on the Mainland and have seldom or never been seen in New York. “Paintings and Woodcuts”, the gallery’s latest exhibition, marks the solo debut in the United States of Fang Lijun , one of China’s leading contemporary artists.

　　Over the years, Fang Lijun (35 years old and currently residing in Beijing) has become a master at painting these large scale figures-usually men whit shaved heads-that appear innocent, yet seem to voice discontent, fear, anger or show cynicism.

　　Although he focuses on an “anonymous” human figure Fang Lijun ingeniously creates a complex “no man’s land” for the viewer. He attempts to challenge our imagination to interpret the identity of the individual, the context and the thorough meaning (sociological or political) he wants to create.

　　出处：New York Contemporary Art Report，October 1998。Artfolio: Christian Eckart