About

Liu Bolin is a Chinese contemporary artist internationally known for his photographic self-portraits in which his body is meticulously painted to disappear into the surrounding environment. Often referred to as “The Invisible Man,” he works across photography, performance and sculpture to explore the relationship between the individual and society.

His best-known body of work, Hiding in the City, began in 2005 following the demolition of the Beijing artists’ village where his studio was located. By camouflaging himself against urban landscapes, architecture, consumer goods and cultural symbols, Liu transforms his own body into both the subject and medium of the work.

Rather than simply creating optical illusions, his photographs address questions of visibility, identity, consumer culture and the individual’s place within contemporary society. The tension between presence and disappearance has since become a defining element of his artistic practice.

Liu Bolin’s work has been exhibited internationally in museums, galleries and major cultural institutions, establishing him as one of the most recognizable Chinese contemporary artists of his generation.