1814: You were born just as Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution was beginning. The Cultural Revolution brought about significant changes for China, moving society away from many of its ancient traditions. Today China is experiencing another type of 'cultural revolution' which your work illuminates. Can you describe these changes and some of the challenges facing China?
WQ: I do remember so very clearly in 1976 when we organized into the ceremonies for the death of Chairman Mao. Both my mother and my elder brother fainted because of to much crying. It looked like the sky was about to collapse when Chairman Mao passed away.
After 1976 China began to tread on a different but steady path of reform. From the early reflections on the role of Chairman Mao, to the reconstruction and the economic reform (the major national policy right now), I have been confused by all of these social movements. I can never tell what the future of China looks like. Up till now, I have used my art work to express my confusion, my understanding of the conflict between old and new. For me, the economic development programs are like the political movements of many decades ago.
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