Liu Bolin: The Invisible Man – Urban Camouflage Art
When I first saw these photos I was immediately captivated both by the ingenuity of this highly unusual technique as well as the simple but powerful message projected by this work. His name is Liu Bolin, a 35 year old artist from Shandong, China. Liu has mastered the art of camouflaging himself into virtually any background. It can take up to ten hours to create a single shot. He does this so well that sometimes people passing by in the street do not notice that he is there.
This Guy Paints Himself, No Trick Photography, No Photoshop
Liu Bolin returns to New York for his second solo exhibition, ON FIRE, at
ELI KLEIN FINE ART NEW YORK
Opening April 30th
Private Reception with the artist: 6-9 PM
462 West Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Eli Klein Fine Art is proud to present Liu Bolin’s second solo exhibition at the gallery; this show
features his new photography and sculpture.
Since Liu Bolin was first exhibited at Eli Klein Fine Art in 2007, the artist’s popularity has exploded
on the international arena. His message of political protest is understood throughout the world and
bridges gaps in language and culture. His works have been communicated via emails, blogs,
magazines and journals on a massive scale.
Liu Bolin’s earlier Hiding in the City photography series, in which he paints himself into the urban
landscape, was inspired by the Chinese government’s demolition of the Suo Jiacun Artist Village in
Beijing in 2006. He drew attention to great landmarks in China, both old and modern, while
highlighting the lack of recognition which was paid to the citizens that built them. He portrayed the
tragedy of the increasing insignificance of the individual in China as the government focused on
presenting a modern commercial and industrial image. Rather than trying to fight, people attempted
to hide and adapt to these forced changes.
Conversely, Liu Bolin’s newest sculptures rejoice in the new hope he has for humanity. His Burning
Man and Burning Man Obama represent people’s anger and the subsequent desire for change in
society. He celebrates people like President Obama who are “on fire,” unwilling to accept the world
as it is today and trying to stand up for the true needs and concerns of the people.
Born in China’s Shandong province in 1973, Liu Bolin earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the
Shandong College of Arts and his Master of Fine Arts from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in
Beijing. His work has been exhibited throughout the world, including at the Today Art Museum in
Beijing, the Museum on the Seam in Israel, the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts, the Seoul Art
Museum in Korea, and the Chicago Cultural Center in the United States.
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