The "Body Art: New Photography from China" show at Foothills Art Center in Golden is an unusual display of unusual photographs.

Several Chinese artists are featured. The most extraordinary images line the wall of the first gallery when you walk inside.

They are oversized images of Huang Yan's torso and head. The photos must be three feet by three feet (just guessing here)

According to the museum's captions, his face and chest and arms are painted with white paint. It looks like whitewash.

On that canvas his wife paints landscapes to represent the seasons.

From a distance they look like a typical Chinese landscape painting, but up close you can see little white whiskers coming from his chin. His arms are placed across his chest and this postition varies in each image. In two images his eyes are open. It's really a remarkable sight.

One photographer dresses in the clothes of his subject, for example a doctor or a waitress and stands next to them. HIs subjects are disrobed, in their underwear.

These portraits are interesting. The text said the photographer felt this was a way to get to know his subjects.

They are posed in the environment where they people work, so the background scene adds interest.

The other artist has a fantasy world swirling in her photos.

One of the best photographs I thought was one of the imperial building. It's grey, dark with swirling storm clouds above the building. In front of the building she photoshopped a herd of sheep to represent people who will follow anyone anywhere and are stupid.

The gravity defying photos by Li Wei are curious. How did he do that?
Apparently the only thing Wei photoshopped was the wires that make him look like he has spiraled into the earth like a missile, or is about to fly out of an office building in Beijing like Superman.

The photo exhibit of Golden High School students is in the Foothills II building next door. After seeing the tablecloth sized photos from China, these were a big change, as most were 8 x 10s.

Some were collage photos, others close ups.

The Bradford Washington Museum has a warm feel to it . They have done a great job with the life size climbers and historical information. I just stil wonder why people do that. While looking at one of the fully dressed climbers bulked with protective clothing, my husband said, "I would not want to be that cold."