"The identity of the artist is about representation, and representation is at the heart of what an artist does. Another important reason for Xu Zhen to change the nature of his identity is to shape a different way an artist is represented. If there is one series of works that epitomises MadeIn’s method of representation, it is True Image. In True Image, a series of installation and sculptural works produced by MadeIn are on show, but only in photographic form. The photographic representations of the works are exhibited after the originals have been destroyed. The representation of the original becomes the surrogate original. Moreover, the title of the series, True Image, takes this logic a step further; it dictates that the surrogate becomes the original as the original no longer exists. As such, MadeIn is a representation of Xu Zhen, but now that Xu Zhen has been annulled, MadeIn becomes the original, although stripped of the artist’s aura. This issue is at the heart of True Image’s inquiry – the disappearance of artistic aura."
("Inside the White Cube" exhibition catalog, White Cube, London, UK, 2012)

For an article by Colin Chinnery on this series: Click here