XU ZHEN
Known for his humorous commentary, the irony of this work's title ("Comfortable") cannot be lost on its audience. Mini buses form the arteries of China's transport system, connecting villages and towns. The tri-coloured plastic bags carry personal belongings of the workers who commute across the country for work; workers who are not privileged enough to enjoy the fast life of China's newly developed, glamorous cities. The washing machine is a symbol for people's private daily lives. By dragging it out into the open, Xu is commenting on the social discrepancies in China's economic growth - the fortunate and the less fortunate. Comfortable Bus. 500 x 250 x 250cm. 2007.
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As a social commentary on the rapid modernisation of China and the resulting loss of traditional values, this series of photographic works document the underworld of Shanghai’s nightlife with blurred, almost faded images of Karaoke bars and nightlife in general. Each of the pictures is constructed of texts from virtual conversations taken from the Internet, and they are sometimes incredibly explicit in their pornographic content. Super Absorbent Photography. Set of 6. 100 x 117cm. 2006.