Season 2009 · Episode 1

True Stories: The Great Chinese Art Revolution

Think of China and contemporary art may not be the first thing that springs to mind. It's now fast becoming a big player on the global art scene and True Stories documentary looks at this burgeoning industry. Only five years ago China's cultural ministers predicted that the highest living artist would be Chinese and their statement seems to be right on track. It appears that freedom of expression is not being restricted by the communist state, instead it is slowly being embraced by the government. Chinese works are being sold for millions and holding their own against international artists. Communist leader Mao Zedong declared that the only function of art was to serve society, but since his death in 1976, the art market has boomed. Key artists including Zhang Xiogang, Yue Minjun, Yang Fundong have come to the fore and two distinct movements - Political Pop and Cynical Realism - have emerged. China contributes to one third of the global economic growth and with its new found wealth there is more disposable cash around, and people are being granted more leisure time by the government to spend their money. Hence the boom in galleries and art work. The government plan is to open 1000 galleries over the next 10 years. But has contemporary art become a political tool in representing China? An interesting look at how art shapes society.