Artwork Description

Title: Plastic Makeup 2
Artist: Hu Xiangdong
Date: 2012
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 39.4 x 31.5 in (100 x 80 cm)

Artwork Identification:
Plastic Makeup 2 presents a meticulously rendered image of a young woman mid-application of blush, her gaze fixed confidently on the viewer. Dressed in a translucent plastic jacket, the subject radiates artificial poise, further enhanced by the flawless sheen of her skin and makeup. This work continues Hu Xiangdong’s exploration of beauty, identity, and the construction of self-image in a consumer-driven, image-obsessed culture.

Artistic Style and Influences:
Executed in Hu’s signature hyperrealist manner, the painting reflects the influence of both traditional Chinese portraiture and Western photorealism, while aligning with the broader Post-Materialism movement that emerged in China in the early 2000s. Hu’s attention to the material—plastic as both garment and metaphor—reveals an astute commentary on surface aesthetics and cultural performance. His visual language critiques the artificiality and commodification of identity, drawing parallels to the mass-produced perfection often pursued in contemporary life.

Historical Context:
Created in 2012, Plastic Makeup 2 engages with post-1990s Chinese socio-cultural shifts, particularly the increasing influence of global consumer culture and visual media on identity construction. The work belongs to a broader body of Chinese contemporary art that emerged in the wake of the Reform and Opening period, reflecting anxieties around authenticity, gender roles, and modern beauty standards. Hu’s participation in seminal exhibitions such as Post-Materialism at Red Gate Gallery (Beijing, 2000) and Chinese Contemporary Art at the Ludwig Museum (Budapest, 2003) positioned him at the forefront of this critical dialogue.

Provenance:
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation:
The artwork is in very good condition, with no visible signs of wear or damage. The surface is stable, and the paint layer remains vibrant and intact.

Artistic Significance:
Plastic Makeup 2 exemplifies Hu Xiangdong’s ongoing investigation into contemporary life and constructed identity, themes that have defined his career and earned him recognition across Europe and Asia. His collaborations with artists like Ren Rong and Huang Yan, and his participation in exhibitions across Germany, Italy, and Hungary, have solidified his place within the international contemporary art discourse. This painting not only showcases Hu’s technical mastery but also invites viewers to reflect critically on the interplay between appearance and essence—an issue increasingly central to the human experience in the digital age.