Chen Chusheng describes the vinyl as a holistic artistic project, stating he hopes listeners can 'see the emotions, fractures and growth' within the album alongside hearing the music.
The collaboration features Hong Kong-based artist Li Erpeng, who built the 14 canvases gradually while listening to the tracks, aiming to put the 'world' of the music onto canvas.
1. QQ Music awarded the vinyl its 'Double Diamond' sales certification on June 9, the day pre-orders opened. 2. Separately, Chen's April 2026 concert in Nanchang generated nearly RMB 1 billion ($149 million) in local consumer spending.
Chen Chusheng merges music and visual art for his new LP, earning immediate sales certification while his recent concert continues to drive significant local economic activity.
Chen Chusheng, the Chinese singer-songwriter who won Hunan TV’s “Singer 2025,” has released a vinyl edition of his album “Wasteland of Wonders” featuring 14 original paintings by contemporary artist Li Erpeng. The artwork is integrated directly into the vinyl package, linking the recordings to visual stories that sit alongside them. Chen stated that he views music as more than something we hear, hoping fans can “see the emotions, fractures and growth” within the album.
On June 9, the day pre-orders opened, QQ Music awarded the vinyl edition its “Double Diamond” sales certification. Chen publicly praised Li, calling him an artist he admires greatly and thanking him for transforming the record into “a work of art I want to keep forever.” The paintings respond to specific tracks or grew out of stories and imagined scenes that developed as Li worked alongside the music. Li, who is based in Hong Kong, explained that strong music builds its own world, and his job was to put that world on canvas.
He hopes that when people receive the physical LP, they will “see the life, growth and hope within the images.” Winners Gallery represents Li for this collaboration. Li’s work is held in collections including the Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum in Beijing and Sydney’s White Rabbit Gallery. Beyond the vinyl commission, Li has recently expanded his practice into elaborate sculptural frames and is doing preparatory work on a CG-animated world for a film in pre-production.
His previous collector pieces have included models of legendary figures, such as athletes. Separate from the vinyl release, Chen’s live performance history continues to generate notable economic impact. His April 2026 stadium concert in Nanchang drew approximately 50,000 fans, setting a personal attendance record.
According to Beijing Radio & Television, all tickets sold out within 24 minutes. A report from Nanchang’s state-assets authority attributed close to RMB 1 billion ($149 million) in local consumer spending to the concert. This figure refers specifically to spending generated by the event and its attendees, distinct from the sales performance of the “Wasteland of Wonders” vinyl.
