"Urgent Request" (1991-2005) by acclaimed Chinese Contemporary artist Wang Youshen (China, b. 1964) is a rare and exciting c-print that documents pivotal moments in the political and cultural fabric of China. This work is an edition 19 of 20, measuring 46.86 x 36.22 inches (119 x 92 cm) with larger framed dimensions, and is in excellent condition. Another edition of this print was published in "Wang Youshen", Hong Kong, Kwai Fung Art Publishing House, 2007, pp. 76-79.
This prints theme is the nearly mythic " Spirit of Lei Feng", a man who, as lore tells it, was the epitome of the ideal Chinese PLA soldier who died tragically yet his spirit lives on, standing as the perfect role model for Chinese children and adult alike. Through the resent decades his 'spirit' is incorporated into political posters, literature and stories. Here, 2 portraits of Lie Feng are framed at top and bottom by Chinese text above that is translated into English below, that together powerfully critique Mao's declaration that art should be created solely to benefit the state and as political propaganda.

Wang Youshen was born in 1964 and has been an active force in establishing and promoting the Contemporary art scene in Beijing. Wang studied at the Beijing Art Academy and continued on to the Art Academy's Folk Art Department. He became the art editor of "Beijing Youth News" and organized the exhibition "New Generation Art" at the Chinese History Museum in Beijing. The artist has had multiple international exhibitions throughout Europe and Asia including The Venice Biennale; "China/Avant-Garde Exhibition" at the National Art Museum of China, Beijing; The Taipei Biennial, and The Shanghai Biennial among others.