Think terracotta army.

Images of burials with figures of warriors and horses from the ancient Qin dynasty of China are likely to emerge, and you will probably visualise the army looking solemn and imposing. How else can you think of the terracotta since they were from a warring period of China's history whereby many lives were taken, many blood were lost and many tears were shed. The army then had no individuality and no personal identity. All they had were collective memories of the authoritarian dictatorship, harsh military life, endless wars and an uncertain future.

However, as the core to all social structures, we must always return the rights and benefits back to each and every individual. The collective and national will should exist in respect to the rights of individuals. Similarly, the most vital duty of contemporary art is to perhaps return the numb souls who transcend through the years their individualities and basic rights to happiness.

This is precisely the beauty of Wang Qijun's sculptures. In an ode to individuality and self-existence, Wang has transformed the historical terracotta army and created a series of warriors with jovial expressions and exaggerated gestures. His soldiers were clad in vivid colours, presented in a cartoon-like style and more than often caught in observably ironic situations. All were done artistically to allow us to re-look at both the history and future of China in a clement and cheerful disposition. With the colourful figurines waving energetically at their viewers, Wang attempts to save us from shouldering the spiritual baggage of our ancestors and free us from the haunting ancient tales.

Revisit the ancient warriors with Wang Qijun and you are likely to think otherwise about the terracotta army.