Mei Nu, 2015 – 2016

Little Flower
Dragon Lady

Acrylic on plastic, wood, steel
11.5 x 10.5 x 22.5”

Exploring themes of Chineseness, and Chinese identity, the Mei Nu series examines the process of relearning culture through mass reproduction and cultural symbols. The name of the series literally translates to ‘beautiful girl/woman’ and is a common complimentary phrase used in the service and retail industries of Mainland China. Referencing the porcelain and lacquer busts of Ah Xian, the two works in the series feature plastic mannequin busts adorned with traditional Chinese decorative designs such as dragons, animals, flowers, and landscapes. Though ornamented with similar subject matter, the casts of the bodies in Mei Nu were created for commercial purposes: headless, uniform, and a marker of its own objectivity.

The juxtaposition between the sculptural form of the bust and the painted surfaces parallel the traditions of the West and the East – The bust as a Western portraiture tradition dating back to ancient Roman times and the designs derived from Chinese decorative traditions. The meticulous painting marks the shift from labour intensive traditions of Chinese crafts to mass-produced items. Bordering between traditional Chinese attire and East Asian themed tattoos, the designs characterize the indelibility of one’s cultural background and its reinterpreted forms.