Artist-zhaolimin-portrait photo

Zhao Limin

An artist who portrays the absurdity of contemporary life through allegorical narratives and fairy-tale imagery.

Born in Liaoning Province, China, in 1970, Zhao Limin  graduated from the Department of Fine Arts of Inner Mongolia Art College in 1995, settled in Songzhuang, Beijing in 1998, and has now moved to Qicun Art District, Huanghua City, Hebei Province.
 
Zhao’s artistic practice focuses on the psychological condition of individuals within contemporary society. Through exaggerated figures, theatrical narratives, and allegorical imagery, he creates visual worlds that oscillate between reality and absurdity. His paintings often employ humor, satire, and symbolism to examine themes of power, desire, identity, and collective social consciousness.
 
Since the 2000s, Zhao has participated in numerous contemporary art exhibitions in Beijing and abroad, including the Songzhuang Art Festival, exhibitions in the 798 Art District, and international contemporary art projects in China, South Korea, and Europe. He held solo exhibitions “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (2012) and “The Origin of Humanity” (2013) at Yang Gallery Singapore, followed by “The Emperor Arrives” at Yang Gallery Beijing in 2015. His works have been exhibited internationally and collected by private collectors in Asia and beyond.
Zhao Limin is a contemporary Chinese artist based in Songzhuang, Beijing. Through allegorical narratives, symbolic animals, childlike figures, and theatrical imagery, his paintings explore human nature, power, desire, and the absurdities of contemporary life. His work combines fairy-tale imagination with social observation, creating a distinctive visual language of humor and reflection.

His Art works

Journey to the West Diary

Oil on canvas

115×115cm|2021

Splendid Attire,

Gallant Steed

 Oil on canvas

100×100cm|2023

Ostrich

Oil on canvas

100×100cm|2025

Wheat-Ear Fish

Oil on canvas

120×66cm|2026

The Emperor Arrives

Oil on canvas

120×90cm|2020

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Oil on canvas

138×235cm|2019

Contemporary Chinese Artist | Allegorical Painting | Surreal Figurative Art | Songzhuang Artist | Contemporary Narrative Painting

Zhao Limin ・Contemporary Chinese ArtChinese ArtistSongzhuang ArtistAllegorical PaintingNarrative Art ・ Figurative PaintingSurrealismOil PaintingSymbolic AnimalsFairy Tale ImageryHuman Nature ・ Contemporary PaintingChinese Contemporary ArtistSocial Metaphor