| Shi Xinning was born on 1969 in Liaoning | | | | Humorously illustrating the Chairman's import |
| Province, China. Trained in China, Shi | | | | and omnipresence in 20th c Chinese society |
| Xinning's paintings are influenced by both | | | | Shi's insertion of Mao into the fabric of |
| social realism and European styles. Using the | | | | western collective conscience seems entirely |
| authoritative qualities of both, Shi embarks | | | | plausible. Infusing the totems of propaganda |
| on history painting with a twist. Taking his | | | | currency with a sense of normality and |
| imagery from iconic press photos, Shi's | | | | humility, Shi re-authors the most cherished |
| canvases faithfully represent the world as we | | | | moments of collective memory with a 'Forrest |
| know it, the Yalta Conference in familiar 40s | | | | Gump' effect, creating a specious mythology |
| sepia tone, the Queen Mum in carriage | | | | based in Hollywood schmaltz and unabashed |
| emblazoned in newspaper black and white. It's | | | | optimism. |
| only on second glance that Shi's alterations | | | | |
| become evident. Nestled between Churchill and | | | | Conclusions: |
| FDR and conversing happily with royalty, Mao | | | | |
| takes his place amongst the great leaders of | | | | Shi Xinning had already established his own |
| the 20th century. | | | | style and the impact of the work had won him |
| | | | a strong reputation in Chinese art circles. |
| In China-fying history, Shi investigates | | | | |
| dynamics of both the west's Eurocentric, and | | | | What to Do Next... |
| China's isolationist past world views. | | | | |