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Cheung Hok-hang

In Chinese society, gods have their own specialities – as deities in many other cultures do.
Just as one would go to an ophthalmologist for eye problems, one can pray to the God of Literature (who, in Hong Kong, lives at Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan) for better grades or a promotion at work.
If it is money you want, then the merciful and plentiful Kwun Yum, or Guanyin, is the goddess to go to. As for that other universal wish – good health – the gods Hau Wong and Che Kung are popular choices.
But who do we turn to for our more modern needs? Which god should you pray to for a successful Botox treatment, or bug-free programming code?
Do Uber drivers and food delivery workers look to Mazu, the goddess of the sea who has protected fishermen for centuries, for guidance or do they need a new guardian?
And if they do, why not create new gods? After all, humans do just that in American Gods, a Neil Gaiman novel about the clash between the old and new deities born from our obsessions.

Fifty new gods tailored to our modern-day desires are making their debut in an exhibition in Guangzhou, southern China.
Created by Chinese artist Zhang Xiao, “Extraordinary Things” at the Guangdong Times Museum features effigies, balloon mascots, illustrations and colourful backstories.
Zhang knows a lot about people’s desires. He began working as a photojournalist for a newspaper in Chongqing, a Chinese city with a population of 32 million.
In 2009, he quit his job to pursue a full-time career as a photographic artist.
Over the years, he has captured hundreds of thousands of images in impoverished rural China, documenting the lives and struggles of those left behind by the rapid urbanisation of the country. One aspect of Chinese society that has particularly fascinated Zhang is indigenous religions and folklore.

In 2017, a news story caught his attention – a small temple in Ningbo, in east China’s Zhejiang province, raised donations by promising to create effigies based on the donor’s wishes.
Since many of the donors were members of the local community and students, the temple soon featured new gods like the Buddha of English, the god of import and export trade, the protector of driving tests, and more.
“I went to talk to the abbot, who told me many people feel that traditional deities no longer meet their needs, so they want to create the gods they need,” Zhang recalls.
Zhang has since created more than 100 statues of invented gods. They are intentionally gaudy and comical, yet reflect the folk aesthetics of rural China. He draws inspiration from trending social media topics, interests shared by friends, and audience feedback.
For the Guangdong Times Museum exhibition, Zhang has also created giant balloon figures made to resemble the effigies, just as shopping centre mascots are made and used to lure people inside to spend their money.

For a coming exhibition in Xian, western China, he plans to sell miniature versions of these gods in blind boxes – packaging that hides the contents within and encourages collecting.
For Zhang, his invented gods are a lighthearted commentary on China’s ultra-capitalist society and the unromantic utilitarianism inherent in ancient traditions. Despite this, some visitors seem to have decided to put their trust in his effigies.
At his Guangzhou exhibition, offerings were left before the Buddha of Photography and, in earlier exhibitions during the Covid-19 pandemic, he saw people praying to his gods. The Buddha of Visas was especially popular, as many were hoping to travel despite pandemic lockdowns.
This writer could not resist making a wish, too. Just before leaving, I made a surreptitious little bow to the God of Likes in the hopes that this article will be a hit.
“Zhang Xiao: Extraordinary Things”, Guangdong Times Museum, Times Rose Garden Phase III, Huangbian North Road, North Baiyun Avenue, Guangzhou, China, Wednesday-Sunday, 10.30am-6.30pm. Until October 7.


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“Aesthetic Medicine Bodhisattva” is a giver of good skin. This is one of the new gods for the 21st century created by Chinese artist Zhang Xiao, currently on show at the Guangdong Times Museum in Guangzhou. Photo: Zhang Xiao

“Menstruation Bodhisattva”, which will protect women from period pains and spillage, is one of the new gods for the 21st century created by Chinese artist Zhang Xiao. Photo: Zhang Xiao

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Lifestyle

Arts

Artist Zhang Xiao creates gods for our 21st century desires – think social media trends, photography and more. Some have gone on show


Artist Zhang Xiao creates gods for our 21st century desires – think social media trends, photography and more. Some have gone on show.


Chinese culture

An assessment or critique of a service, product or creative endeavour.  Film reviews, restaurant reviews, reviews of art exhibitions. (Eg. Crazy Rich Asians: an important film, yes, but a good one?)


Review

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Artist Zhang Xiao creates gods for our 21st century desires – think social media trends, photography and more. Some have gone on show

Artist Zhang Xiao creates gods for our 21st century desires – think social media trends, photography and more. Some have gone on show