Many celebrity Chinese artists have partnered with Western luxury brands, such as Xue Song + Ferragamo and Yang Fudong + PRADA. Following this trend but also breaking new ground is Li Wei who is the first Chinese artist to partner with a Chinese luxury brand: Shanghai Tang.

VIP guests for the HK Art Fair were invited to the making of Li Wei’s newest photograph at Shanghai Tang’s flagship store in Kowloon. After the champagne reception, the guests moved outside as Li Wei, donning his iconic white t-shirt and blue jean shorts, was hung from thin wires and hoisted 2 stories above the store.

Li Wei has never strayed away from the roots of his career: performance art. Many famous Chinese contemporary artists started their careers as performance artists but have given up the craft for painting, a medium that is known for its commercial success.

If he is falling out of the 25th story of a building or flying in the sky, it is not photoshop. The artist is actually hanging from wires. The wires are the only things that he digitally alters therefore maintaining the true essence of the performance.

Li Wei’s official website
Shanghai Tang official website
Yang Fudong for PRADA
Xue Song for Salvatore Ferragamo