Explosives artist Cai Guo-Qiang’s recent installation was created in protest at the human rights abuses within China and the regime’s support for the Sudanese government. The dramatic art installation “I Want to Believe” retrospective is being displayed at the Guggenheim Museum, New York,

The Chinese artist’s shocking speared tigers installation — of life-sized replicas — is aimed at highlighting the killing of the endangered beasts.

“Looking at the work that I’ve done, I’ve noticed things sticking into or out of objects a lot. I think this has to do with my interest in explosions, but it also has to do with the esthetics of pain.” says Cai.

“There is a very visceral response that the audience has to the work — they feel pain when they see the tigers.”

“It’s a stage setting that you enter into.” he says. “It’s through visual impact that you translate these ideas. And it’s through visual impact that this pain is felt.”

Cai Guo-Qiang is one of the most prominent living Chinese artists.