Godsky by Liu Wei (刘韡). Oil on canvas. 2006.
Beijing-based artist Liu Wei rose to prominence as a creator of multimedia conceptual content. The themes of his works have evolved over time, lessening in degree of political polemic and instead focusing on broader, universal subjects of cities, nature, the everyday, and humanity. Through installation art—such as his 2006 collection Anti-Matter, which utilized “readymade” products like exhaust fans and washing machines to portray materialist consumerism—Liu weaves intricate artistic narratives from seemingly ordinary objects.
As time and worldwide renown have expanded his horizons, Liu has enlisted fabricators and assistants to help manufacture his works, instructing them step-by-step through each unique creative process. However, he refuses to mechanize his productions, instead preferring the human touch and its fluid, subtle imperfections. Liu often revisits and alters old works, rendering him an artist whose profession is constantly in motion. He never stays within the boundaries of a certain style; after exhausting the obstacles of a certain medium or technique, he moves on to a new scheme with a new set of challenges.
