Hanart TZ Gallery Today-Aug 30
Every work by Xiao Jin has a real life story to tell. In her 430 Life series, which is on show at Hanart TZ Gallery from today until the end of the month, the 30-year-old Beijing-based painter takes a surreal approach in portraying neighbours and classmates she has known since childhood.
'The 430 Life series is like a documentary,' Xiao says. 'It is about human survival and grew out of a concern for people.'
'430' is the name of a factory during the planned economy era. A community soon evolved around the building and Xiao grew up in this area where migrants from other parts of the country congregated.
The series includes six oil portraits of individuals who were once, or are now, living in the 430 village.
The woman featured in 430 Life, 2: Old School Campus, Love (right), was Xiao's classmate in junior high school who was traumatised after finding out that her father kept a mistress. Xiao blends her emotions, memories, dreams and imagination into her works.