Artwork Description

Title: New Reality Series II
Artist: Zhu Fadong
Date: 2015
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 18.1 x 22.0 in (46 x 56 cm)
Framing: Framed

Artwork Identification
New Reality Series II is an oil on canvas work by Chinese conceptual artist Zhu Fadong, measuring 46 by 56 cm and presented in a frame. Like its companion works in the “New Reality” series, this painting features Zhu’s signature narrative density, inviting reflection on contemporary identity and societal transformation. The expressive brushwork and tightly composed visual language make this a striking example of his painterly approach to conceptual themes.

Artistic Style and Influences
Zhu Fadong is renowned for blending conceptual rigor with material practice, navigating between performance, painting, and installation. In this series, his use of oil on canvas shifts from his often ephemeral performance art to a more intimate and contemplative form of expression. Influenced by his upbringing in rural Yunnan and the experience of mass urban migration in post-reform China, Zhu’s style is rooted in personal narrative while engaging broader political and philosophical ideas.

Historical Context
Painted in the wake of China’s Reform and Opening period, New Reality Series II reflects the displacement, migration, and rapid societal transformation that have come to define late 20th and early 21st-century China. The series’ Title: itself alludes to the new realities faced by millions—particularly rural citizens navigating shifting cultural and economic landscapes. As one of the first artists to foreground such issues in Chinese contemporary art, Zhu’s voice remains both timely and trailblazing.

Provenance and Authenticity
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition. The canvas surface appears stable, with no signs of cracking, discoloration, or restoration. Framed for presentation and protection, it is ready for display under proper lighting and environmental conditions.

Artistic Significance
Zhu Fadong’s New Reality Series II stands as a poignant example of his ongoing inquiry into the human condition within rapidly transforming societies. With its strong conceptual underpinnings and polished execution, this work offers collectors a meaningful piece from one of China’s most socially conscious and critically engaged artists.