1960s China, and society is commanded to rebel against tradition.

Amid the political turmoil, three young artists look out from their attic salon onto the streets of the northern port city of Tianjin. When economic reforms turn society on its head, they are given licence to indulge their artistic passions. Deluged by the increasingly materialistic masses, they paint themselves onto separate paths as they lose track of once sacred certainties. In this warming age where everything is fluid, can the bonds of winter hold?

Feng Jicai is a contemporary author, artist and cultural scholar who rose to prominence as a pioneer of China’s Scar Literature movement. He has published almost a hundred literary works in China and over forty internationally, with his artwork exhibited worldwide. His influence on contemporary Chinese society is huge, particularly in the preservation and promotion of Chinese folk culture. Olivia Milburn is professor of Chinese language and literature at Seoul National University. In 2018, Milburn’s translation work was recognised by the Chinese government with a Special Book Award of China, which honours contributions to bridging cultures and fostering understanding.