Zhang Xiaogang

These haunting, somewhat cartoon-like portraits hearken back to official family photographs taken during the Cultural Revolution. The faces that stare back at you from the canvas have a surreal quality, both alien and familiar, officially sanctioned, yet private and vulnerable. Xiaogang achieves such an array of emotions and provocations through his surreal and intimate portraits.

A more detailed take on his inspiration and work can be found here. 

The artist in his studio

'Friend' for the cover of Artzine

'A Big Family'

'Identity Portrait 2'

from Bloodlines: Big Family series