From another angle

Conceptual artist Zhu Jia. Photo by Zhang Zixuan

"I found the profile very classic, reminding me of many great names such Caesar and Mao Zedong, who were also featured at a similar angle," the 50-year-old says of his initial motive for the project.

Zhu sent the photograph to many artists, friends, colleagues and relatives, inviting them to make a creation based on the profile.

"Mark Zuckerberg has created a new way of social connection - that's what I'm interested in the most and why I chose him instead of other figures such as Bill Gates," Zhu explains. "However, the project isn't really about Zuckerberg or Facebook, nor about Facebook's ban in China; it explores connection among people, especially when being adapted with China style."

Art captures Singapore

Since 2011,Zhu has received pictures of Zuckerberg from all over, including pieces from leading contemporary Chinese artists such as Zhang Xiaogang and Yue Minjun. He has also received pieces from non-artists; all have exuded wild imagination and a sense of daring adventure.

These pieces are not marked with the names of their creators. Zhu stresses that he is not a curator of a group exhibition - he is the sole creator of the entire conceptual work.

"The project is very humorous and dynamic. Both the creating process and final presentation unveil how Chinese people establish relationships," says ShanghART Singapore director Xue Liqing.

This is the first time Zhu has used painting in a conceptual project. After eight years of orthodox education in oil painting from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Zhu abandoned painting and began to use his camera to make images of the world.