Young Chinese artist Xiong Yu, known for his use of big eyes to depict the transition from youth to adulthood, has a new solo exhibition out at the Pifo New Art Gallery. He talks about his latest works themed "Angel in City" and his attitude towards life in an exclusive interview with China.org.cn.

Xiong Yu and his work [China.org.cn]

"Angel in City" departs from Xiong's previous works in "Running on Tranquility" (2006) and "Tarot" (2008), which reflected more a state of mind and Xiong's attitude toward the world. Despite the ethereal title, Xiong's subjects in "Angel" are closer to specific aspects of life.

"‘Angel' represents dream and ‘city' represents reality," Xiong says. "What I want to show is the struggle between dream and reality."

Xiong's paintings feature everyday people in what he calls a "very unrealistic environment." To create a sharp contrast with the ordinariness of daily life, he dressed them up and gave them a pretty appearance.

"Common people may do different work in daily life, but they still have dreams deep in their hearts," Xiong explains. "The dreams will influence their actions, but they are suppressed by reality at the same time."

"Stream Suffused with Blue Color" [China.org.cn]

Xiong kept their wings small, though, to reflect how people's dreams are rather inconspicuous but still hinted at in their actions. "You'll seldom see someone screaming his dream out but you can still feel it in everything he does," Xiong says. "The dream is actually hidden in reality, and it will emerge occasionally."

The Angel paintings are replete with recurring imagery of things people use to help them stay strong. Horses are a prominent object, symbolizing the kind of power people can rely on when they feel tired and helpless. Rope signifies the tension between humans and power.

"When you get help, there's hope," Xiong says. "But when you really hold it in hand, it becomes a strength controlling you."

Xiong says his Angel works reflect changes in his own life as well. After establishing himself as a respectable artist, he now has to meet people's higher expectations. "I also have a lot of responsibilities and numerous roles to play in life," he says. "So the subject of my works changed."

Xiong is also curator of the Art Museum of Sichuan University and has hosted several art exhibitions to introduce new art forms and promote culture. When the museum first opened, people dared not enter, but now it has plenty of casual visitors, Xiong says.

"It takes time to educate…the reality shows that it works."

"Angel in City" is on exhibit now through February 10.