Paint by Numbers

Chinese art's journey from mass-produced propaganda in the Mao era to market darling mirrors China's own momentous changes like few other disciplines. Today, in both art and Chinese society, commerce and politics coexist in a delicate balance, which some call sensible and others, say is selling out. By travelling to the studios of China's art world superstars, hearing their rags-to-riches tales and interviewing the critics, curators and collectors that have been around since its idealistic beginnings, author Claire van den Heever paints a picture of Chinese art's bumpy path to commercial and critical success, and uncovers the secrets it tried to keep along the way.