Paint by Numbers

Today, in both contemporary art and contemporary Chinese society, commerce and politics coexist in a delicate balance, which some call sensible and others, selling out.

By travelling to the studios of China's art world superstars, hearing their rags-to-riches tales and interviewing the critics, curators and collectors that have been around since its idealistic beginnings, author Claire van den Heever paints a picture of Chinese art's bumpy path to commercial and critical success, and uncovers the secrets it tried to keep along the way.