Chen Qiulin: One Hundred Names
Picture this: one hundred Chinese surnames carved in tofu.
Overview
This is the first solo show in Australia for Chinese artist Chen Qiulin. Her practice draws upon her experience growing up in Wanzhou City in Western China and the confluence of natural and urban landscapes. In recent years, the rapid urbanisation of China has becoming central to her work, which explores the intricacies of city planning, architectural hierarchies as well as tensions between tradition and technology.
The centrepiece and namesake of the show is the impressive One Hundred Names, consisting of the most common Chinese family names, carefully carved out of tofu. This edible artwork is designed to gradually decay over time, symbolising the material transformation that inevitably follows intensive labour. The exhibition will also feature a range of photographic, video and performance works.
4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art have proved their deftness in programming some of the most stimulating and socially-engaged practices coming out of Asia. This exhibition is shaping up to be no exception.
Images: Chen Qiulin, 'The Garden No.2' (2007), cMtype print. 100 x 82xm. 'The Garden No.3' (2007), cMtype print. 100 x 82xm. 'Old Archway' (2009),cMtype print, 154 x 124cm. 'A Hundred Surnames in Tofu' (Chen) (still) (2010), video installation. Courtesy the artist and A Thousand Plateaus Art Space, Chengdu.
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