Li Wei is just one of many young Chinese artists whose art career parallels China’s escalating urbanization. His oeuvre, mostly embodied in performance and computer-enhanced photographic works are a dialogue of his country’s new urban reality and reflect his wide concern for the life and survival of her individuals. Due to globalization and the rapidly changing world economy, contemporary Chinese society is rapidly morphing as it speeds to catch up with the rest of the world. As a result, the global community needs to actively re-consider China’s current (and future) influence on the many different levels of society. A better understanding of young, avant-garde Chinese art can act as a vantage point for global citizens, enabling them to recognize and identify with the changes taking place in China.

Li has indeed completed a large body of unique, creative work, which is indicative of his response to the changes of his society. His art exhibits an adventurous spirit while he strives to interact dynamically within a new social context. His work is amusing, exciting, obsessive, ecstatic and transcendental, suggesting a critical moment within an individual destiny. There is an aspect of theater present throughout his entire repertoire. By viewing his works, one can insightfully extrapolate China’s current state of affairs as well as what is going on in the minds of China’s youth generation. More importantly, the compositions show his insight into the psychological state of the Chinese during this era of unprecedented social transition. His art is shaped out of his visceral experience of China and the strong voice of his generation rather than produced to conform to the visual, stereotypical style we usually associate with Chinese art.