Early Life and the Seeds of Rebellion Huang Rui, born in Beijing in 1952, is a figure inextricably linked to the birth of contemporary Chinese art. His life story isn’t one of privileged artistic upbringing but rather a journey forged through the tumultuous landscape of mid-20th century China. The Cultural Revolution cast a long shadow over his youth; at sixteen, he was sent to Inner Mongolia to work as a farmer – an experience that u…