Untitled (Smile-ism No. 8), 2006

Yue Minjun's Untitled (Smile-ism No. 7), 2006

Untitled (Smile-ism No. 8)" (2006) is a significant lithograph by Chinese contemporary artist Yue Minjun, representing a pivotal moment in post-1989 Chinese art. The print showcases Yue's iconic self-referential figure with its exaggerated grin, executed in his characteristic bright pink flesh tones against a stark background.

The lithograph embodies the core principles of Cynical Realism, an influential art movement that emerged in early 1990s Beijing. Yue's laughing figure serves as a complex cultural symbol, simultaneously expressing and masking the psychological tensions of rapid societal transformation in contemporary China. 

Through meticulous lithographic technique, the artist captures the paradoxical nature of forced happiness and social conformity. As part of the "Smile-ism" series, this work demonstrates Yue's masterful adaptation of his painted vocabulary into print media. The precision of the lithographic process enhances the uncanny quality of his signature style, which has profoundly influenced the development of contemporary Chinese printmaking and visual culture.

Yue Minjun emerged alongside fellow artists like Fang Lijun and Liu Wei during a transformative period in Chinese art history. His works appear in prestigious collections including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Fondation Cartier in Paris, establishing him as a crucial figure in the global contemporary art dialogue.