Artwork Description

Title: 2016
Artist: Fang Lijun
Date: 2016
Medium: Woodcut print on paper (framed)
Dimensions: 244 × 366 cm (96.1 × 144.1 in)
Edition: 8/12 (limited edition set)

1. Artwork Identification
2016 is a monumental woodcut print by Fang Lijun, measuring 244 × 366 cm. The composition features his iconic bald-headed figures—each with open mouths—crowded across the surface and gazing skyward. The figures are rendered in high-contrast, garish colors, creating a powerful visual rhythm characteristic of his mature graphic style
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2. Artistic Style and Influences
Fang’s work is rooted in Cynical Realism, a movement that emerged in China during the early 1990s. This print demonstrates his trademark graphic intensity and satirical tone, using stylized crowds to explore themes of mass identity and individual expression. The bright layering of reds, blues, and yellows highlights both the humor and unease embedded in the mass gaze motif
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3. Historical Context
Produced in 2016, this work builds on Fang’s longstanding engagement with crowds and youth culture in post-Tiananmen China. His bald figures serve as both avatars and mirrors—depicting societal anxiety, resignation, and collective observation through mass spectacle and anonymity
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4. Provenance and Authenticity
The print is a rubber-stamped, limited edition (8/12) produced by Linda Gallery. It includes a certificate of authenticity and is framed to museum standards. Works of this scale and importance by Fang have been featured at Hanart TZ Gallery and held by institutions such as the MoMA and Centre Pompidou.
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
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5. Condition and Conservation
This framed woodcut print is in excellent condition, with no visible signs of wear. As with all woodblock prints, it should be protected from direct sunlight and displayed in a stable environment to preserve color fidelity and paper integrity.

Summary
2016 stands as a bold centerpiece in Fang Lijun’s graphic oeuvre. By amplifying his emblematic bald-headed figures in both scale and chromatic intensity, the work amplifies themes of communal identity, existential unease, and social reflection. A striking testament to the enduring power of Cynical Realism, this print is a distinguished acquisition for collectors of contemporary Chinese art.