This 25-year-old Chinese artist clearly sees his swiftly evolving nation and its soaring economy as in its infancy, its traditions coming under the influence–not always for the better–of the decadent United States, with its icons of Coca Cola, cigarettes, hamburgers and orange juice.
Coming at a time when China’s widespread industrial and manufacturing abuses are being disclosed, Kang Can’s babies remind us of the vulnerability of his nation as well as its awesome potential for economic growth.
Chinese youth today dine at Western fast-food chains, keep abreast of international fashions and idolize popular stars of film and contemporary music. Using an infant as a metaphor for contemporary Chinese society, Kang Can’s paintings point out the hazards of adopting Western culture and habits.
See more of Kang Can’s artwork here