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Xu Bochu counts himself lucky to witness the unprecedented changes in Chinese art history over the past two decades. It is amazing that Chinese contemporary art is a dynamic and exciting world brimming with vigor, vibration and movement, which give more opportunities and challenges to him and any other artists in China.

Xu Bochu: Sure, when I was an art student in China, I used to pay a lot of attention to the techniques and skills. The moment when the door of Chinese culture wide opened up, numerous schools of Western philosophy, ideology and art rushed in. I was amazed at the splendid history of the Western art. I started thinking over the essence of art and the significance of life as an artist. Personal experience and identity become highlighted in my artworks. Especially after years of studying in Europe, I have been very much influenced by the diversified styles of Western arts. 

Generally, there is always a mainstream in the world of art. Most likely it expresses art in an experimental, radical and exploratory art language. Yet individually, different artists are affected by different schools of art in social trends, totally depending on personal taste. Artists usually take the risk of exploring egos in various ways:  traditionally, aesthetically, radically, or multi-culturally. They become intoxicated by the techniques and expressions of art that can touch them. Of course, they hope that their artworks can be approved, appreciated and even admired in the art history.

As for myself, I used to think art is ideal, sacred and paramount. As purely spiritual work, art is difficult to be evaluated commercially. Yet now I understand that eventually art should be restored to life and accepted by the public. In the final analysis, art is the expression of the experience and understanding of life. Therefore, art should nestle closely up to and give the concrete vein to our life.

（Source: chinaculture.org）