Unbreakable by Fan Xiaoyan at Galeries Lafayette Beijing
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October - 23 November 2013
October 22 - November 23, 2013
In a special collaboration with the legendary French department store Galeries Lafayette, Opera Gallery is delighted to present a solo exhibition of Chinese artist Fan Xiaoyan coinciding with the department store grand opening in Beijing.
Titled “Unbreakable", the exhibition will take place in the Fashion Garden located on the fifth floor of the department store spreading over 200 sqm in the atrium open space.
On display 8 life size sculptures made of steel depicting the Chinese women revolution departing from the boundaries of hardship work in the factory world into powerful and independent reality as liberated women.
Fan Xiaoyan’s sculptures interpret modern Chinese women on a prominent new level by combining the soft and vulnerable bodies of women with hard, cold metal materials like steel and brass. The stark contrast and subtle penetration between the two counterparts bring to her audience a psychological and visually striking experience.
As a female artist, Fan Xiaoyan finds identification and resonance in using the female figure as her subject; where depicted in her artwork in difficult and intricate situations, they are capable of overcoming obstacles to accomplish anything. Her female figurines serve as an outlet for the artist’s ideas and emotions on the status of female women in Chinese culture, reflecting their struggle to break free.
In this series, Xiaoyan focuses on the fashion industry where women predominantly make up the work force in factories, working around the clock to meet quotas of high demand. The works on display physically describe the critical moment a woman breaks free from the weight of this kind of labor, symbolized by the buttons, needles and fabrics that have defined her existence.
“Women can hold half the sky, do what men can do and sometimes even better,” states Xiaoyan, emphasizing on the spirit of independence and self-confidence of the women in her artworks. Not only does the message she delivers apply to women, but also it extends to all minority groups in modern society.
“As our first pop up exhibition in China, and specifically to inaugurate our debut exhibition with Galeries Lafayette, we chose to highlight a Beijing artist that is becoming immensely successful on the international art scene. Xiaoyan’s work speak of women’s liberation in China, and with the context of fashion showing in the renowned department store, it seems the perfect platform to raise this important discussion. Here, the cultural shift is evident as women rapidly become the powerful consumer, claiming their freedom from traditional gender roles.’’ stated Shirley Yablonsky, Opera Gallery Hong Kong director.
About Fan Xiaoyan
Born in 1983 in Gaomi, Shandong Province, Fan Xiaoyan graduated at the age of 25 from the Sculpture Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, one of the most prestigious fine arts academies in China. For the young artist, her college education was essential for learning the fundamental technical skills of creation but her true inspiration and ideas are more credited to what she did outside the classroom - interacting with people and experiencing various forms of Chinese and international art.
Xiaoyan draws inspiration from everywhere – past experiences, her childhood, meeting with different people, the little things in daily life and even her dreams. She always carries around a small drawing pad, sketching everything she sees and feels around her. At some point she carefully selects a few from the good sketches and works on them with more precision and details. Once a sketch is finalized, she will make the sculpture out of clay, which is then turned into resin and cast into metal. Bringing immense gratification, once the work is complete it will no longer be trapped in her mind and can finally exist independently in reality.
Fan Xiaoyan has exhibited in Paris, Geneva, Monaco, Beijing and Hong Kong. She currently lives and works in Beijing.
About Galeries Lafayette
Founded in the late 19th century, Galeries Lafayette has always been an anchor of the retail industry with a unique objective of bringing fashion to life. It is also known as an icon of French “art de vivre” and home to cutting-edge designer collections bringing the latest trends in the fashion world. It currently has a network of 63 stores, 59 of which are in France with four around the world in Berlin, Dubai, Casablanca and Beijing.
More than a shopping experience, the department store has strived to establish a connection with customers through art and culture. Its annual exhibition program in Paris titled “Windows on Art” presents works borrowed from famous art institutions, exclusively showcasing artist-designed window displays. This concept exhibition has been extended from Paris to include three more French cities - Marseille, Nantes and Strasbourg last year. To form a closer link with the Chinese audience, Beijing’s Galeries Lafayette welcomes exhibitions by Chinese artists to be featured at the new Beijing store on a rotating basis, coalescing art with fashion in a new and exciting form.
