Swordsgirl VI

Swordsgirl VI

2007
Artist
Xu Hualing, Chinese, 1975-
Born: Harbin, China
Work Locations: Beijing, China
Country
China
Object
watercolor
Medium
watercolor on silk
Accession Number
2010.487
Credit Line
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum

Xu Hualing
Swordsgirl VI, 2007
Watercolor on silk
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum, 2010.487
© Xu Hualing

Dimensions
frame height: 41 1/8 in, 104.4575 cm; frame width: 33 1/4 in, 84.4550 cm; frame depth: 2 in, 5.0800 cm; height: 39 in, 99.0600 cm; width: 31 in, 78.7400 cm
Inscription
Signed BR, backside
Department
Modern and Contemporary Art
Collection
Modern and Contemporary Art

Xu Hualing uses traditional techniques to explore the conflicted identities of Chinese women in the post-Mao era. Her Swordsgirl series centers on the strength of women who liberate themselves as well as others. With bold red lips and fingernails, the women stare confidently at the viewer, sometimes brandishing their swords. In contrast, the subject’s figures are depicted using a delicate line that presents the women in an almost ghostly way.  The subject and technique provide an interesting contrast where strong sensuous women are portrayed in a soft feminine way.  Hualing also draws inspiration from her childhood fascination with Hong Kong and Taiwanese Kung Fu movies as well as popular culture. 

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