Focus on the ordinary

In the past few years, Cao has frequently presented her works on the international stage, going to renowned institutions such as the Tate Modern in London, Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Domestic and international media outlets have described Cao as an artist who depicts China's social shifts and individuals affected by the changes.

"I never positioned myself as a Chinese storyteller. I just use the universal language to illustrate the stories of individuals," Cao explains. "The language can be hip-hop, humor or anything that allows visitors to understand without difficulty."

The artist once invited residents of Guangzhou, New York and Fukuoka to perform hip-hop dance for her Hip-Hop series from 2003 to 2006.

Philip Tinari, curator of Cao's show, is also a keen observer of her work.

"She stands out as an example of a Chinese artist working in a global context," he says.

Cao, who is also a mother of two children, spends as much time as possible in her studio to capture social shifts.

"Instead of an existing studio, mine is at the public space of society," she says.