Critical by Mao Yanyang

Another casting call, another hallway lined with dour faced fowl. This group was particularly miserable looking – Rufous-headed Hornbills, Yellow-crested Cockatoos, Negros Bleeding-hearts – on and on, one pathetic species after another. I took another long drag on my cigarette. Who the fuck cares, just die already. (more…)

Broken by Xue Jiye

At last, I’ll break away.  Unfettered, I’ll rise.  Free, at last.

But an uncommon heaviness bears down upon me.  Wrongs have been done, lies have been told.  And I’m both victim and accomplice.  I’m no longer sure of myself, of my own position.  Is it possible to undo all that has been done, to rewrite a history so often sung?  Or was this inevitable, things as they were destined to be?  Did I even have a choice?

Regardless, I do now.  I’ll rise.  I’ll show them.  I’ll tear myself away.  Lift up mine eyes and see…  But the weight is too great.  For it is me.

If you are interested in other works by Xue Jiye, his full portfolio is available here: http://www.xue-jiye.com/work.html

Join us in welcoming the newest addition to the ARTSHARKS Blog family: Monk Eastman – A purveyor of iniquities, Monk has come to appreciate the wisdom of Oscar Wilde’s observation that “nothing makes one so vain as being told that one is a sinner.”  Or an artist for that matter.  For what is art if not vanity, a history and celebration of personal and collective iniquity?  Nowhere is this more evident than in Beijing, “the new center of the international art world” according to the New York Times art critic and Monk’s city of residence.  Monk looks forward to sharing with ARTSHARKS readers both established and up-and-coming Chinese artists’ unique take on the transgressions and vanities of modern society.

He can be reached at monkeastman@ymail.com.