Self-Portait 2017

Kexin Di’s 'Self-Portrait' is an oil painting on canvas. It captures the artist's likeness, but it also tells a story about the place of the individual within contemporary Chinese society. Consider the social conditions that might shape artistic production in China. Since the late 20th century, economic reforms have allowed for more artistic freedom, but artists still navigate a complex system of state patronage and censorship. Many artists walk a tightrope between tradition and innovation, often looking to the West for new ideas while remaining rooted in Chinese cultural identity. To fully understand this painting, we might research the artist’s background, looking for clues in exhibition catalogs, interviews, or critical reviews. What galleries or institutions have supported Di’s work? Is it self-consciously conservative or progressive? These are the kinds of questions historians ask. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.