ZHU WEI

One of the earliest works from the iconic China Diary series by Zhu Wei, China Diary No.8 (Lot 15) chronicles China's past in the imagined scene of a head-shaving initiation rite into a political party. Zhu hones into a commentary of the sheer breadth of influence of the party in every facet of everyday life by inscribing on the work, "Hair styling is a necessity. But when it turns into a movementK" Zhu's contrast of traditional art language, medium and meticulous "gongbi" techniques with potent contemporary political and social themes, creates irresistible images that continue to anchor him as amongst the earliest internationally-recognized forerunner in Chinese contemporary art.