To be a Piece of Meat or a Meat Cleaver ? – Cao Zai Fei

The first solo exhibition of Chinese artist Cao Zai Fei in Europe showcases a selection of his paintings from recent years, as well as videos of his performance art.

Cao Zai Fei’s work is deeply engaged with the profound changes in Chinese society, tackling current and often sensitive topics. His small-scale paintings may initially appear surreal, but they actually capture fleeting moments and reflect reality in all its complexity. By intertwining surreal messages with realistic depictions, his work creates narratives reminiscent of brief fables and sketches.

One notable aspect of Cao Zai Fei's art is the rare depiction of faces. Instead, he focuses on individual body parts or figures seen from behind. His works often include images of meat, which, for the artist, symbolizes desire, greed, and the everyday oppression people face.

In his performances, he publicly recites classical poetry, using it as a means to question the values of modern society, such as with love poems on the “marriage market” in Shanghai.

His art encourages reflection on the difficult choice: to be a piece of meat or the knife. In this dark portrayal, his works convey both despair and hope.