Arts preview: Cui Xinming's Journey to the East investigates the modern era

Many of CuiXinming's paintings, especially those created before 2012, depict a single room. It is not just any rented room, but the place the mainland artist called home for three years when he was studying for his master's degree.

While the inspiration and objects in his paintings are taken from his daily life — he photographs them, gives them his own twist, and then infuses them into his paintings — his works are not shallow or narcissistic documentations of his existence.

"Since 2010, I've been revisiting past experiences and memories to make sense of the society we live in. This is a process of self-discovery, as well as an investigation of the era I'm living in," says the Chongqing-based artist.

"I'm not interested in painting from a political or social perspective; I want to explore the empty, soulless mental state our people share as a result of the damage our society and system have inflicted."

, one of the new works featured in his show "Journey to the East", is a prime example. Instead of running away, or calling an emergency number for help as a big fire approaches, the figure in the painting prays for god's help.

"The fire symbolises anything absurd, as well as events that may induce anxiety in us. I want to show how the past experiences of this guy have led to this subconscious behaviour," Cui says.