Monkey business meaning up to the critics, says artist

Sexily clad but faceless women with monkeys hanging off them provide an unusual recurring theme for Kunming-born artist Li Ji.

Ji remains vague in his explanations of the bizarre subject matter and its symbolism.

Some art critics have said his paintings satirise modern female consumerism, while others view the women as mistresses of wealthy men, with the monkeys symbolising their need for company in their lonely lives.

Whatever you make of his paintings, Ji will simply agree and say 'the painting is what you think it is'.

Of his current exhibition at the Hanart TZ Gallery in Central, Ji says he tries to show the difference between humans and animals. He portrays monkeys because they are so similar to humans.

This is Ji's first show in Hong Kong although he has previously exhibited in England, Chicago, France and the mainland.