Well-known for his "Motherland" series of sculptures, which embodies the continual struggle between ancient Chinese culture and controversies of today, Cai Zhisong is one of the five celebrated artists selected to represent China at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011.

A sculpture artist whose powerful work has gained him international recognition, Cai Zhisong, born in 1972 and a graduate of Beijing's Central Academy of Fine Art, was the first Chinese artist to win the prestigious Taylor prize at the 2001 Paris Autumn Salon in Eiffel-Branly.

Established in 1903, many of the world's most famous artists have participated in the Autumn Salon, including Gauguin, Cezanne, Matisse, Renoir, Bonnard and Rodin. The Autumn Salon opens every year, comprising of painting, sculpture, architecture and photography. Named after Baron Taylor, only one distinguished artist receives the Taylor Prize every year. Cai Zhisong won the Taylor Prize at the age of 29.

Cai Zhisong is one of the five artists elected to attend Venice Biennale 2011 for the Chinese Pavilion. Cai Zhisong's most recent creation entitled “Cloud” will be on display in this art festival. With the use of specialist techniques, this piece of work will float at the entrance of the Chinese Pavilion and automatically rise and fall according to temperatures, sunshine and other weather variations. Visitors can walk through freely among the clouds, producing a feeling of emptiness and Zen.

While Cai Zhisong's interest in the past proves unequivocal, he also stresses the need to connect past and present to keep traditions alive and developing. He states: "Everything which we call heritage should be considered precious, especially living heritage, or, it may not truly be called heritage in the true sense of the word. I continually attempt to create artworks which are derived from our past legacy." The artist is hence drawn to the Qin (221-206 B.C., whose emperor first united the many warring states in China) and Han (206/202 B.C. - 220 A.D.) dynasties because he was inspired by the flourishing culture of those periods, a legacy that has left a lasting impact on Chinese history and customs today. Mixed with influences resulting from Cai's classical academic training, these ideas of cultural identity and the past came together in the creation of "Motherland" to form a highly individual interpretation of history and life.