Chen Chusheng's Vinyl Release Ties Music to Art

Chen Chusheng has tied his new vinyl release to a series of original artworks.

The singer-songwriter commissioned 14 paintings from contemporary artist Li Erpeng for the physical edition of his album, 'Wasteland of Wonders.' The collaboration integrates visual art directly into the product packaging. This approach creates a tangible object that extends beyond audio consumption.

The release demonstrated immediate commercial strength. On June 9, the day pre-orders opened, QQ Music awarded the record a 'Double Diamond' sales certification. This milestone confirms high consumer demand for the physical format of the album.

Chen stated that the project aims to make the emotions and fractures in the music visible. He described Li Erpeng as an artist he deeply admires. Chen thanked Li for transforming the record into a permanent object of art. Li Erpeng developed the canvases while working alongside the music. He blended imagery from specific tracks with scenes that emerged during the painting process. Li said he hopes listeners will see life and growth in the images when they receive the physical LP.

Li Erpeng is based in Hong Kong and represents a specific niche in the art market. He is known for collector pieces modeled on legendary figures, including athletes. His recent works combine painting with elaborate sculptural frames that function as a single artwork. Winners Gallery represents Li for this collaboration. His work is held in the collections of the Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum in Beijing and Sydney's White Rabbit Gallery. He is currently doing preparatory work on a CG-animated world for a film in pre-production.

Chen first gained national fame in 2007 after winning Hunan TV's 'Super Boy.' He returned to the network to claim the top prize on 'Singer 2025.' His April 2026 stadium concert in Nanchang drew approximately 50,000 fans. This attendance set a personal record for the artist at the time. Beijing Radio & Television reported that all 50,000 tickets sold out within 24 minutes. A report from Nanchang's state-assets authority attributed close to RMB1 billion, or $149 million, in local consumer spending to the show.