Artist portrays reality in bold exhibition (2)

Sculptures [Photo/China.org.cn]

Gao Shipeng, deputy dean of the Culture and Humanity School of the China Academy of Art, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, said Liu's works show an obvious streak of cold violence and impose barbarian poetry on the audience.

"He dispels all the literary elements from his creation, which otherwise make the works superficial, and becomes a dictator in the form of his works," he said.

Going through tides of realism, symbolism and gaudy arts, the destinies of many Chinese artists are in the hands of curators in the overseas markets during the period of "neo-colonialism" in the contemporary art market.

Yet Liu's attempt to adopt abstract expressionism may pave a new way for Chinese artists in their search for independence, said Pi Li, a Chinese curator and art critic.

The exhibition will run until April 17, 2015 at UCCA, a contemporary art platform for Chinese artists, founded by a Belgian couple, Guy and Myriam Ullens.