It arose through the pursuit of individual expression by Chinese artists that broke away from the collective mindset that existed since the Cultural Revolution. The major themes tend to focus on socio-political issues and events since Revolutionary China (1911) to the present. These include having a, usually humorous and post-ironic, take on a realist perspective and interpretation of transition that Chinese society has been through, from the advent of Communism to today’s industrialization and modernization.

Yue Minjun is probably the most successful of the new Chinese Cynical Realists, and his unique brand is easily identified, as he always paints (or sculpts, draws, prints) smiling figures in action:

Galliant Hero, by Yue Minjun -- 1995, oil on canvas

He’s actually a pretty great artist, and his work is very funny — check out his website gallery for many more images.

Yue Minjun is very successful, but that also means is work is way too expensive for most of us. In an ironic exclamation mark to the phrase “Cynical Realism”, you can buy cheap Chinese knockoffs of expensive Chinese art online at Reorient., which features “furniture,  décor, lifestyle” items for sale from Asia. Here is a painting by an anonymous artist in the style of Yue Minjun:

Not Yue Minjun (Anonymous) -- ND, oil on canvas 32"x32"

This painting would ship to you rolled up and ready to frame, were it not SOLD OUT in the Reorient Store. So I’m looking for a source where I can buy cheap(er) knockoffs of the unavailable knockoffs of contemporary Chinese art.