The key to my work is the relationship between people and backgrounds. Rather than focus on issues of individuality, my works involve everyone — when people see my art, they might think to themselves, “I am that person too.”

I stand still while my assistants paint the colours and shapes behind me on to my body. It attracts a crowd. People are curious when they see the cameras and people painting me, and they stop to ask what it’s all about. I’m based in Beijing but I work all over. Sometimes I share my work on WeChat [the Chinese social networking platform], and people I don’t know ask if they can participate.

It is like I am nailed to a cross. I disappear so that more people realise the problems we face. I always have this feeling of salvation as I disappear.