The book "Contemporary Art in 21st Century China: 2000 - 2010" represents my third decade-long research project following "A History of China Modern Art: 1979 - 1989" and "A History of China Contemporary Art: 1990 - 1999." Structured into 'Part I: Artistic Ecology' and 'Part II: Art and Artists,' the narrative unfolds chronologically in response to the evolving phenomena in the art world.
The choice of the keyword 'ecology' stems from the recognition that the art of the new century is inseparable from the concurrent political and social environments influencing artistic change and development. The intricacy of these interconnections necessitates treating the entire evolution of the art ecosystem as an integral part of the decade-long art history. Grounded in the concept of 'ecology,' we can observe the intricate relationships among diverse artistic phenomena and discern the reasons behind the formation and evolution of different artists or artistic trends.