From 1994 to 2003, Wang Tong raced against time, he did everything possible to search and photograph the image of Mao Zedong in public spaces before they were forgotten in the torrent of social development. In Wang Tong’s photographs, the painted portrait of Mao was stained, fallen, or perhaps these images were already fading. Mao On The Wall documents the disappearance of a legend, for oneself, while leaving actual traces for those who have experienced that period. It also provides clues to understand that special time. As the cultural heritage from a unique historical period, Wang Tong’s photographs are archived visual documentations with distinctive characteristics of its time. These about-to-disappear or have already disappeared portraits of Mao Zedong, are the most truthful evidence from the bottom of Chinese society during the years of the “Cultural Revolution”, refers to the forms in historical memories and the spiritual, political and ethical impact on the crevice between the past and present (on the ruined walls).

(Edited by Su Wenxiang, Xu Chongbao, Huang Si, 2015)