Body art by Liu Xiaodong

Body captures an intimate moment of human interaction through Liu Xiaodong's characteristically direct and observational approach to painting. The composition depicts a group of figures gathered around a reclining subject in the midst of getting a tattoo, their attention focused on acts of care, labor, and physical connection. Against a vivid blue background, the artist's expressive brushwork balances specificity and spontaneity, emphasizing the humanity of the scene. Like many of Liu's paintings, Body elevates an ordinary moment into a broader reflection on community, vulnerability, and shared experience.