Liu Zheng (1972, Hebei, China) is a contemporary Chinese artist whose work balances between tradition and modernity, between heritage and innovation. Growing up in a period of profound social and economic transformations in China, Liu developed an artistic vision that is deeply rooted in the tension between collective memory and personal expression.
After graduating from Hebei Normal College in 1992, Liu settled in Beijing, where he emerged as a critical and poetic observer of Chinese society. His art—ranging from painting to installation—explores themes such as consumer culture, ideology, and the fragile boundary between tradition and globalization.
Liu's work has received international recognition with solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Paris, and Amsterdam, among others. In 2007, he presented In our opinion at the Willem Kerseboom Gallery in Amsterdam, a reflection on how collective perception and propaganda influence our image formation. Previously exhibited at Tokyo Gallery and Beijing Tokyo Art Projects, his subtle play with materials such as silk and beads added a deeper layer to his commentary on China’s cultural transition.
His presence in influential group exhibitions around the world—from Paris-Pékin in France to Chinese Modernity in Brazil—confirmed his role as a voice in contemporary Chinese art. From Jakarta to Basel, his work is a visual dialogue on how China sees itself and the world, blending Mao-era symbols with the iconography of modern consumer society.
Liu Zheng continues to work in Beijing, reflecting on the rapid changes around him, exploring the boundaries of art and meaning. His work is not just a mirror of China, but a window into the dynamics of a world in flux.
