An Emerging Chinese Illustrator Finds Herself In The US

Lisk Feng 1
Few things can poison an artist’s development quite like early fame. And when fame comes knocking, it takes a lot to cast it away and reboot one’s art career in an unfamiliar world. Illustrator Lisk Feng made that tough decision three years ago when she left her hometown behind to build her skills and begin a new career in the US.

Bamboozling, Clickbait And Viral Marketing: The New Tricks Of Chinese PR

PR clickbait boyfriend wanted - Beijing Today
Chinese social networking sites have been swamped with discussion of the latest scandalous topic: “Escort for Travel.” Purportedly the work of an 18-year-old woman, the posts advertise job openings for “temporary boyfriends” and include photos and videos of the woman sleeping with random men on her trips to Nanjing, Wuxi and Suzhou.

Magical Realism? The Avant-Garde Artist He Ling

He Ling magical realism 1
While most painters create their art using pen or brush, the avant-garde artist He Ling (@何玲Heling) uses medical syringes to bring his wild imaginings to life. At his recent exhibition in Songzhuang Art District, the young artist displayed a series of mutant birds and beasts he created by injecting acrylic paints and dyes made from Chinese herbs into his canvas. The process resembles traditional embroidery in its delicacy.

Hutongs And Palaces: Tian Li’s Beijing In Oil And Wood Block

Tian Li painting of Beijing 皇城系列(二(2)80x80cm
It’s hard to find anyone without an opinion about this city, be it a fear of pollution, heavy traffic or some other widely reported negative attribute. But Beijing isn’t all bad. Tasty snacks, magnificent architecture and a comparatively cosmopolitan environment are among the city’s selling points, which is what artist Tian Li attempts to capture in his work.

Ancient Murders And Suicides: The Haunted Houses Of Beijing

Beijing Haunted House chaonei-no.81-1
If you haven’t made any plans for your Halloween night, consider a trip to one of Beijing’s haunted houses. Not to be confused with the spooky amusement destinations that pop up throughout the US and Canada at this time of the year, these haunted houses are the sites of ancient murders and suicides. Tales of wandering spirits, unusual sounds and paranormal activity have persisted for more than a decade at some of these locations...

The Past As Told By Posters

Wang Yuqing  - the past as told by posters
Most people might not give Chinese posters a second thought, but Wang Yuqing has dedicated himself to collecting and studying them as historical records. Often dismissed as propaganda, the posters reveal much about the social culture, economy and politics of modern Chinese history.