Fabien Fryns Fine Art is pleased to present its inaugural exhibition by MadeIn, an art collaboration founded by Chinese artist Xu Zhen. Titled “There are new species! What do you suppose they are called?” The exhibition includes 4 extraordinary collage works, ranging from 250 by 180 cm to 350 by 250 cm, and one 1.6-meter tall sculpture, all assembled with fabrics, embroideries and other notions commonly seen in the apparel industry and toy factories. The tactile and compelling works take on world history, politics, religion and diverse cultures in the style of Robert Crumb’s comic strips and editorial cartoons seen in everyday newspaper. Combining a dazzling array of quotations, visual metaphors and labels found in Western media, MadeIn creates intentionally clichéd and controversial imagery with special affinity to the new phenomena in the New World, such as the economic downturn, Obama’s new administration, the climate change, immigration debates and the two wars that Americans are currently fighting. Borrowing the blunt and humorous language of political cartoons, the artist introduces us to his critical, satirical and subversive visions of the West from a distance, draws our attention to the current conflicts and questions the present-day superpower and the new order of the world.

Since 2009, Xu has ceased to be an individual artist bearing his own name. All exhibitions and curatorial projects have come under the name of MadeIn Company, of which Xu Zhen declares himself CEO overseeing artistic creation, productivity and branding. MadeIn’s goal is eventually to completely erase an artist’s identity and replace it with a brand name.

There are new species! What do you suppose they are called? is the first exhibition by MadeIn on the West Coast. The exhibition will be on view at Fabien Fryns Fine Art Gallery from May 15 to June 26. An opening celebration for the exhibition and for the inauguration of the gallery will be held on Saturday, May 15, from 5 to 7 p.m.

This exhibition is in cooperation with ShanghART Gallery.