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Liu Wei (Chinese, b.1974)
LOT ID: 66417
Made In China: Mao Missile Copper, 2008

Copper, hollow-cast copper
36.4 х 4.75 х 4.75 in. cm.
Signed, inscribed, with date and edition number in black marker on exterior back fin of sculpture. Singed, numbered and dated again on underside base of sculpture.
Edition 8
Foundry/Publisher The Artist.
Lot description
This is edition 2 of just 8 of the rare "Made in China: Mao Missile Copper" (2008) and is hollow-cast in the round. This stunning work by Chinese emerging artist Liu Wei (China B. 1974) belongs to his most famous series of sculptural works. This is the only edition that the artist cast in metal and has never been offered to the market due to its rarity.

Liu's "Made in China: Mao Missile's" all share the stretched distortion of the smiling portrait of Mao incorporated in relief onto the 'front' of the missile that adds a Neo-Pop veneer; yet at the same time contains subversive and darker historical references on China and constant military might and the Communist use of art as propaganda. The paintings and sculptures of Liu Wei are sought after on the primary and secondary market with strong results at auction in 2010 and rising in 2011. This is the only cast copper example to come to auction.

By investigating identities in the constructs of society, Liu Wei plays with notions of power structures and spectacle. The artist has exhibited internationally at such venues as Saatchi Gallery (London, UK), Today Museum of Art (Beijing, China), and Suzhou Art Museum (Suzhou, China), among numerous others. Liu Wei has gained international reputation amongst scholars and collectors for his uniquely varied work, producing painting, drawings, sculpture massive installation works, that all act as uncensored expressions of his artistic vision, unhindered by ideology or form. The artist has exhibited internationally at The Saatchi Gallery (London, UK), Today Museum of Art (Beijing, China), and Suzhou Art Museum (Suzhou, China), among numerous others.
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Sales Results for Comparable Works

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  • Liu Wei

    Made in china: mao missile large (red)
    sculptures, design, other synthetic materials
    (H 78.7, W 13.8, D 13.2) in.
    (199.9 x 35.0 x 33.5) cm.
    Ed. 4/4
    Sold for: US$20,700
    Friday, December 16, 2011
    artnet Auctions
    Lot 59432
  • Liu Wei

    Mao's tian'anmen square (pink)
    sculptures, prints, other synthetic materials
    (H 18.9, W 3.9, D 4.1) in.
    (48.0 x 9.9 x 10.4) cm.
    Ed. 1/25
    Sold for: US$2,070
    Tuesday, December 06, 2011
    artnet Auctions
    Lot 58847
  • Liu Wei

    Mao's tian'anmen square (red)
    sculptures, prints, other synthetic materials
    (H 3.9, W 18.9, D 4.1) in.
    (9.9 x 48.0 x 10.4) cm.
    Ed. 1/25
    Sold for: US$2,070
    Sunday, November 20, 2011
    artnet Auctions
    Lot 58092

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