“Every scene, and every part of my so-called world of art, is no longer chasing after valuable judgment nor obeying morality. A complete description of a scene is cut into pieces by real living moments, one by one, in common and understandable images that express themselves…” – Luo Dan

The subjects in his paintings, which Western faces and Western clothes, but wearing traditional Beijing opera masks and Chinese decorations, may challenge the respected traditional artists. Luo Dan wants to create an atmosphere that places his viewers in a gap caused by the conflict between the visual impact and how the viewers really feel. What is the essence hidden behind those colorful masks? The phenomenon of combining Chinese and Western thinking is exactly the reflection of a westernized society and environment in China today. Ever since China began its economic reform, Western consumer culture and behaviors incessantly pours in form all directions. Helped largely by mass media, this era is occupied by vanity and luxury; people do not, and cannot think for themselves. Instead of preserving the traditional culture, the pursuit of a Western lifestyle has brought up this question: “Is this an improvement or the deterioration for contemporary Chinese society?” – Article/ Tao Wen Yue (Art Critic)