Valiant Struggle No. 1

Valiant Struggle No. 1

2005
Artist
Wenling Chen, Chinese, 1969-
Born: Fujian Province, China
Work Locations: Xiamen, China
Country
China
Object
sculpture
Medium
Enameled bronze
Accession Number
2015.610
Credit Line
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum

© Wenling Chen

Dimensions
height: 61 in, 154.9400 cm; width: 27 in, 68.5800 cm; depth: 20 in, 50.8000 cm
Edition
Edition 7/8
Department
Modern and Contemporary Art
Collection
Modern and Contemporary Art

Chen Wenling uses traditional Chinese symbols, often pigs, in a surreal, ironic style to examine notions of contemporary materialism and its influence on Chinese culture.  “Valiant Struggle No. 1” features a man riding on the back of a huge pig in a pose that imitates David’s “Napoleon Crossing the Alps.” This work comments on the inevitable expansion of consumerism culture. Living a happy life is not enough. The figure wields a kitchen knife in a heroic attempt to conquer and spread his own lifestyle.

Chen Wenling was born in 1969 in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. He received his BA in sculpture at the Xiamen Academy of Art and Design, and he earned his MFA from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing. He currently lives and works in Beijing.

Known Provenance
Purchased from the artist by Vicki and Kent Logan, 2006; gifted to Denver Art Museum 2015

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