The art game as successfully practiced by painter Zhou Tiehai, Shanghai

Zhou Tiehai, Shanghai
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

The New York Times says, "For more than a decade, his work has mocked the art scene. In an era when every leading Chinese artist seems to have a recognizable brand, a series of obvious signature pieces, Mr. Zhou slyly appropriated Joe Camel from the American cigarette ads and transformed it into his own improbable brand. (Many people here refer to Mr. Zhou — pronounced Joe — as the Joe Camel guy.) Now important collectors boast of owning his paintings. His works, which command prices as high as $100,000, have been shown in New York, London and at the Venice Biennale."

More at

Chinese Artist Zhou Tiehai Proves the Emperor Is Naked By DAVID BARBOZA
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/01/arts/design/01zhou.html