Ah Xian is a Chinese artist now living in Australia, and does solo shows in Sydney, New York, and Heilbronn, Germany.  I love the  ension between emotion and stoicism in these sculptures, and the way pattern evokes tradition while at the same time, graffiti and tattoo.   The very traditional prints, when applied to the body (or approximations thereof)  start to look bizarre and dangerous, like all-over body tattoos  acquired by painful ritual,  possibly in prison or because of allegiance to a criminal organization.

-Claudia Brown