“1988 (Such a big denomination, it can buy tons of things)” (2004) by emerging Chinese Contemporary artist Jin Shan (B. 1977) belongs to his "I am 27 years old" Series, a collection of images deeply imbued with China’s cultural history and the personal history of the artist. In this work Jin superimposes a colored image of himself holding up a 100 yen bill, mirroring the actions of the figures behind him in black and white. The artist's bill features Chairman Mao, juxtaposing the artist’s current image against the backdrop of historical documentation. In this way, the artist attempts to open a new dialogue with the past while expressing the importance these collective historical events have on individuals of a society. This work measures 19.68 x 27.56 inches, is an edition of 6, and is unframed in excellent condition.

In this series “I am 27 years old” Jin scavenges historical photographs from the Cheng Huan temple book market to construct a scrapbook of childhood memories while documenting the many transformations of China specific to the year in the title, and the iconic events which has inspired and developed the artist. Jin inserts himself into these public memories in different ways, at times as a participant and others as a wry observer. His works aim to memorialize the celebrated events of China’s past through the veil of his personal history, beginning with the specifics of present day China and extends beyond those borders to portray the abstract forces that structure societies.

Jin Shan was born in 1977 in Huai An, China and graduated from East China Normal University in 2000. Through his work in various media, Jin has been gaining recognition and emerging in the international art world, addressing social, political, and cultural aspects of the nation as well as specifics of daily life. Selected solo exhibitions include, "Shoot", ARCO solo projects, Madrid in 2008; "Stephen the Speculator", DDM Warehouse, Shanghai in 2009; "It Came from the Sky", Spencer Museum of Art, Kansas City in 2011. Jin has also participated in multiple group exhibitions like The Van Abbe Museum, Einhoven, 2010; The X Baltic Triennial of International Art, CAC, Vilnius, Lithuania, 2009; Groninger Museum, Netherlands, 2008; the Venice Biennial, 2007; the Singapore Biennial, 2006, among many others. The artist currently lives and works in Shanghai.