Abstract: This project explores the works of Chinese artists born between 1979 and 1989, also known as the post-80’s generation. While their artwork is still very recent, this paper argues that they have embraced their individuality in order to explore China’s larger political, economic, cultural issues, as well as to establish their own presence in a larger art world. China has expanded economically and transformed culturally since the 1980s. The artists of the post-80’s generation have had to learn to not only adapt to this changing environment, but also how to thrive in it. China’s critical audiences, developing museum systems, and burgeoning art market have created a variety of challenges and opportunities for post-80’s artists’ careers. This project investigates these growing forces of China’s art world through a selection of works from post-80’s artists who have just recently begun to establish themselves in China and abroad. While older generations may see the post-80’s generation as “self-centered” and “rebellious” these artists prove that their interests and concerns lie not solely within themselves. They exhibit qualities of 脱颖而出 (tuōyǐng’érchū), a phrase that literally means “a sharp stick points out” and expresses the idea of distinguishing oneself. They embrace the negative stereotype of being “too self-centered” and use their individuality to explore China’s tightening social conventions and expectations, the changing environment and culture, and their own sense of placement in a larger art world.