Friday lates: a culture in transition - contemporary art in China
Learn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The end of the Cultural Revolution ushered China into a ‘New Era’. This short course begins at this moment of drastic social transformation to consider how and when Chinese art became contemporary. From the secret apartment shows of the No-name group to the institutional exhibition of the ‘85 New Wave, we will explore a variety of artists and movements, tracing their journey from underground artist villages to global auction houses.
In the second half, we will explore the introduction of the World Wide Web into China and the initiation of the Great Firewall through the lens of new media art. How did the internet, envisioned as a liberating force, become an instrumental form of control? From memes to GIFs, we will examine the ways in which artists and netizens are creatively responding to the messy complexities of the virtual realm.
What will we cover?
• A brief survey of key art movements between late 1970s to late 1990s
• Social, political and historical contexts of Contemporary Chinese art
• Art of the Cultural Revolution
• New Media Art in China.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Be aware of key works of contemporary Chinese art
• Identify some of the social, political and cultural issues that captured the imagination of Chinese artists during this period
• Understand the workings of the Great Firewall and the Chinese internet.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and an understanding of how to operate basics of Zoom microphone and camera.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion.
Please note: This is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading mentioned in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Arts of Imperial China
Image and Identity: 20th century Chinese art and cinema
Meitao is an associate lecturer at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she received an MA specialising in Contemporary Chinese Art and Geopolitics. From Shanghai Golden Age cinema to memes on the Chinese internet, Meitao’s research interests span across 20th and 21st century visual culture in China. She also holds an MFA from Ruskin School of Art and maintains a visual art practice alongside teaching.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/friday-lates-a-culture-in-transition-contemporary-art-in-china2945046Friday lates: a culture in transition - contemporary art in Chinahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-a-culture-in-transition-contemporary-art-in-china-vb899-1080.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art/Courses/Online courses228511361177189517311228511771136Learn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.002916147Friday lates: a culture in transition - contemporary art in China1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-a-culture-in-transition-contemporary-art-in-china-vb899-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-06-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB8991919Friday lates: a culture in transition - contemporary art in China191219Meitao Qufriday-lates-a-culture-in-transition-contemporary-art-in-china/vb899-2526Learn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.0000-Available|2026-06-12 00:00:00The end of the Cultural Revolution ushered China into a ‘New Era’. This short course begins at this moment of drastic social transformation to consider how and when Chinese art became contemporary. From the secret apartment shows of the No-name group to the institutional exhibition of the ‘85 New Wave, we will explore a variety of artists and movements, tracing their journey from underground artist villages to global auction houses.<br/><br/>In the second half, we will explore the introduction of the World Wide Web into China and the initiation of the Great Firewall through the lens of new media art. How did the internet, envisioned as a liberating force, become an instrumental form of control? From memes to GIFs, we will examine the ways in which artists and netizens are creatively responding to the messy complexities of the virtual realm.Learn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.• A brief survey of key art movements between late 1970s to late 1990s<br/><br/>• Social, political and historical contexts of Contemporary Chinese art<br/><br/>• Art of the Cultural Revolution<br/><br/>• New Media Art in China.• Be aware of key works of contemporary Chinese art<br/><br/>• Identify some of the social, political and cultural issues that captured the imagination of Chinese artists during this period<br/><br/>• Understand the workings of the Great Firewall and the Chinese internet.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and an understanding of how to operate basics of Zoom microphone and camera.<p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: This is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading mentioned in class.<p>Arts of Imperial China</p><p>Image and Identity: 20th century Chinese art and cinema</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual191912VB899NONEFri12/06/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineMeitao QuBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-12T00:00:00+00:00EveningJun 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Friday lates: a culture in transition - contemporary art in Chinafriday-lates-a-culture-in-transition-contemporary-art-in-china/vb899-2526Learn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.0000-Available|2026-06-12 00:00:00The end of the Cultural Revolution ushered China into a ‘New Era’. This short course begins at this moment of drastic social transformation to consider how and when Chinese art became contemporary. From the secret apartment shows of the No-name group to the institutional exhibition of the ‘85 New Wave, we will explore a variety of artists and movements, tracing their journey from underground artist villages to global auction houses.<br/><br/>In the second half, we will explore the introduction of the World Wide Web into China and the initiation of the Great Firewall through the lens of new media art. How did the internet, envisioned as a liberating force, become an instrumental form of control? From memes to GIFs, we will examine the ways in which artists and netizens are creatively responding to the messy complexities of the virtual realm.Learn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.• A brief survey of key art movements between late 1970s to late 1990s<br/><br/>• Social, political and historical contexts of Contemporary Chinese art<br/><br/>• Art of the Cultural Revolution<br/><br/>• New Media Art in China.• Be aware of key works of contemporary Chinese art<br/><br/>• Identify some of the social, political and cultural issues that captured the imagination of Chinese artists during this period<br/><br/>• Understand the workings of the Great Firewall and the Chinese internet.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information and an understanding of how to operate basics of Zoom microphone and camera.<p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: This is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading mentioned in class.<p>Arts of Imperial China</p><p>Image and Identity: 20th century Chinese art and cinema</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
