When Karen Smith published Nine Lives: The Birth of Avant-Garde Art in New China in 2005, she made waves for nominating so few individuals to embody a booming industry. Who was to say which artists were the most important? Smith defended her choices, saying “the nine artists I chose are innovators, leaders … with a unique edge on their contemporaries.” Five years later, curators Jerome Sans and Guo Xiaoyan are making a similarly monumental statement with “Breaking Waves,” an exhibition of works by the eight key figures they believe will carry Chinese contemporary art into the future.

In the face of the economic turmoil bubbling within the Chinese art market, the two curators feel the time is right not only to re-affirm the quality of work coming out of China but to identify crucial players in a more recent generation of artists. The artists were chosen for breadth of experience and boldness of vision—and certainly have that unique edge.

“I ask, is what they are doing relevant?” says Brian Wallace, Director of Red Gate Gallery, who has been picking out talented artists in China for over 20 years. Wallace believes in the longevity of quality work. “The key is that they commit to being inquisitive and dedicate themselves to that. Then they just keep on peaking.”

Judged on these terms, the set of artists for the UCCA show are compelling. Though many have collaborated together and share similar philosophies, the works speak with resoundingly personal voices.

The collective MadeIn suspends performers above ground, tethered by iron anchors. The interior of Qiu Zhijie’s giant glass bulb is alive with black butterflies. Cao Fei’s hutong passages pit locals against each other in stormtrooper guise.

The artists are tackling a myriad of issues—stability, flux, youth culture and their own places in the world. They are linked by youth, but also their fearlessness of creation. They might not be future record-breakers, but they most certainly will be ambassadors of audacity in Chinese contemporary art.

Sophie McKinnon

What: Breaking Forecast

When: Through February 28

Where: UCCA

How Much: ¥15