The exhibit Hers at the Zero Art Center takes its theme very literally. One work consists of seven individually framed sanitary napkins, with the flow of blood represented by pins. Spikes jut out of a giant silver high-heeled shoe. A half dozen upward facing breasts of different shapes and shades cover one section of the floor like a rock garden, with nails protruding out of them.

This exhibition is not simply a collection of works by young female artists, but rather a collection of art about women, with works from 32 fresh graduates from China's best art institutes.

The pieces concern their bodies, luxury goods, and themes from Japanese comic books so many young women adore.

But despite the spikes, the exhibit feels as dangerous as a trip to the mall. Shopping is a major preoccupation. Li Mingran's handbag series is perhaps the most representative. Her Taotie (a greedy, hungry monster in ancient Chinese mythology) is a silver Chanel bag the size of a person covered by a layer of cockroaches and cicadas, creating a sense of both luxury and nausea.

"Taotie means endless desire. With this work I want to illustrate the desire of young girls. They want Chanel bags, but actually it's a luxury which most of them cannot afford on their own, so they turn to their parents. They are the bloodsuckers living on their parents, just like the hungry and greedy insects cockroaches and cicadas," said Li.

In a look back to childhood, Huang Cuishan created a four-sided pyramid, with dozens of toy stamps attached to each side. On two sides, the stamps feature popular male Japanese cartoon characters. The other two sides have male characters. It's called He and She.

Body image, shopping, nostalgia for childhood - the exhibition would not be complete without referring to the mothers. Deng Ke's Qing Ting Zhe (Listener) is a bronze bust of a middle-aged woman with her eyes closed. Her expression convoys both peace and pain.

"I always want to convey voices from the heart and Qing Ting Zhe is a work of communication between inner heart and the outside world," said Deng.

One could come away with an impression of self-absorption and insularity, traits typical of many young people here. It is difficult to say whether this was a deliberate curatorial decision, or part of a wider trend. Curator Guo Hongmei is about to have a child and was not available to elaborate.

Li Mowei, the gallery owner, suggested these artists' themes are a result of their easy and complacent lives that come from a privileged upbringing. She noted that many of the young artists are not under financial pressure to make a living from art, so they don't take it as seriously as earlier generation.

"Artists should fight, strive to make good art, they should be devoted to it, focus on it and consistently work at it."

Li Xiangqun, producer of the exhibition, says the subject matter of the works is a feature of young female artists. "They are reflecting society through their bodies and their personal experiences."

When: Until June 2 (Closed on Monday)

Where: ZERO Art Center, 798 Art Zone, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

Admission: Free

Contact: 5978-9931