Monkey King meets Wonder Woman in Chinese pop artist Jacky Tsai’s show
Ironic and playful, Shanghai-born artists new works, currently in exhibition in London, comment on Chinese identity by contrasting figures from Chinese mythology with Western superheroes
Chinese-born, London-based pop artist Jacky Tsai – best known as the creator of the floral skull image made for late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen – likes to have fun with his work, even when dealing with serious subjects, as his latest exhibition shows.
Comprising 11 new works, The Harmonious Society – at London’s Fine Art Society until November 8 – takes a critical and sometimes ironic look at Chinese identity, touching on issues including immigration, gambling, and the perception of cultural differences.
Tsai presents a contemporary take on the politics and ideologies that have shaped China’s identity and the conflict between socioeconomic reform and conservatism. He takes inspiration from the notion of harmony, something deeply rooted in Chinese culture that has influenced its leaders from the time of Confucius (551-479BC). Earlier this century President Hu Jintao put forging social harmony at the top of his government’s agenda.
