“I noticed that while a shaved head is striking on its own, it loses individuality when surrounded by others. This idea fascinated me—the sense of being overlooked and erased in society is particularly strong in our culture.” — Fang Lijun

A leading figure of Cynical Realism, Fang Lijun began his Bald Heads series in the late 1980s, using it as a sharp critique of post-Tiananmen Chinese society. His bald-headed figures—caught mid-yawn, smirking, or staring blankly—convey a deep sense of alienation and disillusionment. In contrast to his earlier works, 2006.1.1. replaces stark realism with a dreamlike atmosphere, its figures drifting against cloud-filled, utopian backdrops. This shift moves the series beyond social commentary into existential metaphor, where identity dissolves into a collective void. Through Bald Heads, Fang not only exposes the tension between individuality and conformity but also prompts reflection on personal agency in an increasingly uniform world. His work remains an enduring exploration of human existence, resonating across cultures and generations.