He Yunchang, a Chinese artist known for his extreme performances, was seen most recently sporting a necklace made out of one of his own ribs.

He had the 23-cm rib voluntarily removed and now carries it around his neck on a gold loop with a dragon's head biting down on each end.

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Yunchang's intention behind the display is to demonstrate his own individual autonomy.

The artist is known for his over-the-top manners of artistic expression and, in one of his most recent works, he painted the nails and toenails of 10 mannequins with his own blood.

In another works, Yunchang damaged his eyesight by staring at 10,000 glaring watts, set his clothes on fire while wearing them, and encased himself in a cube of quick-setting cement for 24 hours.

The artist believes that his own safety comes second if a work of art is worth the pain. However, he did state the importance of not allowing himself to die during his exhibits.

Yunchang's works of art have been exhibited and have sold in Europe and the Americas. The artist has made a name for himself as his shows are often difficult for audience to watch as the proceedings are excruciating for the artist himself.

Yunchang's face and body bear the scars of his extreme work as he often endures knife cuts in order to express symbolic themes.

However, Yunchang does not consider himself a political artist and has avoided confronting authorities or challenging the local government.

Despite contemporary art flourishing in China in recent years, the government still maintains tight control over freedom of expression and artist who convey political messages in their work often face arrest and detention.

But He Yunchang stated that he does not create art in order to make waves, but rather to address the concept that pain and discomfort have a transcendent quality and therefore must be pursued.

TagsHe Yunchang, Chinese Artist