Zeng Fanzhi's 1997 'Mask: Rainbow' at M+ Hong Kong reflects pandemic-era parallels

Zeng Fanzhi's artwork 'Mask: Rainbow' (1997) illustrates five men in business attire adorned with face masks that bear fixed smiles, representing a sense of unity. This piece, part of his Mask Series (1994–2004), was produced after he completed his studies at Hubei Fine Arts College in 1991 and critiques the façade of happiness among the urban elite amid China's economic reforms in the 1990s. The vibrant colors echo socialist propaganda, while the figures, dressed in dull suits with slender frames and exaggerated hands, harken back to Zeng's previous creations. The masks symbolize the difficulties of social change, resonating with contemporary artists like Yue Minjun and Zhang Xiaogang. 'Mask: Rainbow' is showcased in the M+ Sigg Collection at Hong Kong's M+ museum.