LIU BOLIN (né en 1973) Lot n° 2

Hiding in the city #8, from Dragon Series, 2010 C-print, edition of 6 59 x 75 cm - 23 15/64 x 29 17/32 in. Liu Bolin, a contemporary Chinese artist, gained prominence through his renowned photography series titled “Hiding in the City.” Born in 1973 in the Shandong province of China, Bolin pursued studies at the Shandong Academy of Fine Arts and later at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, where he earned a degree in sculpture. His iconic series “Hiding in the City” features meticulously painted self-portraits of the artist blending into the surrounding environment. Bolin employs body painting techniques to camouflage himself within various urban landscapes, ranging from graffiti-covered walls to supermarket shelves. This series provides a profound reflection on the themes of concealment and disappearance within modern society. Internationally acclaimed, Bolin has exhibited his works in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai, the Venice Biennale, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, and the Beijing Museum of Fine Arts. By using his art as a means to comment on contemporary social and political issues, particularly in China, Liu Bolin also explores the themes of individual identity and alienation in an increasingly globalized world. His work prompts viewers to contemplate how individuals integrate (or blend) into their environment, while raising crucial questions about visibility and invisibility within modern society.