Today's Chinese artists explain an evolving country

Prostrating people look like naked frogs in this temple scene by artist Wang Quingsong. Such socially critical work has given the artist a reputation as enfant terrible in Chinese contemporary photography. He questions the way consumerism and materialism are taking over China and how the country's cultural tradition is evolving. The work is featured in the new exhibition, "China 8."

This rabbit is resting in a surreal-colored landscape. Experts categorize the artist Zeng Fanzhi's work as Symbolic Expressionism. He is one of the international stars of the Chinese art scene. His paintings reveal a lot about China's society, which has been changing so rapidly since the mid-1990s. The "China 8" exhibition opens on May 14 in eight cities in Germany's Ruhr region.

People are staring at a stormy landscape. With her large-format works, the Beijing-based artist Huang Min creates a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow. With wild brushstrokes, she creates landscapes and adds viewers which mirror societal changes. Are they nostalgic of the past or dreaming of a better future?

Countless objects and body parts are hidden in this image. Yue Minjun became famous for his paintings depicting characters frozen in an irritating laughter. These made Yue Minjun a leader of the Chinese avant-garde. Today, the painter and sculptor is a well-established Chinese artist, and collectors spend millions on his works.

Rock niches hold statues of people who were presumably hanged. A young girl poses in front of them, giving a victory sign. The enigma locked in Zhou Zixi's painting triggers irritation. Is this a play on the many executions in China? The exhibition features 120 artists - a comprehensive panorama of Chinese contemporary art.

Visitors going through the 16-meter (52-foot) tunnel created by Zhou Xiaohu will encounter images and sounds from the most troubled regions. The shocking installation also creates the illusion of a direct dialogue with the great powers of the world. Through this work, Zhou Xiaohu asks who should have the privilege to interpret reality: politicians, scientists, journalists, or artists?

Ding Yi creates an almost mystical atmosphere through these representations of computer-generated patterns. This artist sees the process of painting as an exercise to obtain inner peace, similar to Zen Buddhist meditation. With his calm and sober pictorial language, Ding Yi deliberately creates a contrast with the loud and excessive urbanization of Chinese cities.

Is it sacrilegious to think about Beijing's noxious smog? Liang Weizhou's photo of this industrial plant was taken east of Nanjing. A toxic yellow sulfur cloud escapes from the chimney. Among the different venues participating in the exhibition "China 8," the Folkwang Museum in Essen presents a wide spectrum of Chinese photography.

The artist Ma Jun comments on China's relatively new consumerism with "New China Series Car No. 1." The car, a symbol of prosperity, is a commentary on China's relatively recent consumerism. It is made of porcelain, represent the country's long tradition of porcelain art. The world's most famous Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, is nowhere to be found in the exhibition.

The country has been changing quickly, both in the professional and the private spheres. The younger generation is benefiting from China's economic success, yet people are confronted with the challenge of redefining political, social and moral values. Chinese artists provide snapshots of this unique period. Yang Zhenzhong's video work "Exam" discusses functioning without understanding.

Alfred Ko photographed an amusing sidewalk scene. These jumping bags seem to be racing with the people walking. The photographer depicts everyday life in Hong Kong. The "eight" in the show's title refers to the number of cities participating in the exhibition, but is also a lucky number in China. Each venue in "China 8" covers one genre of the country's contemporary art.