Everyone’s’ Life is an Epic 

‘When the new century started, Qu Lei Lei turned his whole energy towards the lives of ordinary people, with the idea that they reflected the value and dignity of humanity. ‘Everyone’s’ Life is an Epic’ consists of paintings of Asian and European people from many walks of life, all of whom were active participants in the project. After talking with his subjects at length about their experiences, hopes and beliefs, Lei Lei completed each work by encouraging participants to write a message in their own hand on the finished work. In 2005 the giant portraits were hung in the Ashmolean Museum, surrounding another stone installation that read ‘Everyone’s’ life is an epic’.

— Rose Kerr Victoria & Albert Museum