Artist Review: Hu Ming

Hu Ming is an artist originally from China now residing in Australia. Her background is incredibly interesting considering she was a part of the Communist military during the time that Mao was in power. The interesting thing about Mao, if you're unaware, is that he was able to take a land in turmoil and get it to unite together. Granted it was a communist government and there were a lot of people who suffered at the hand of it, he still managed to give the country stability. Something it had previously sorely been lacking.

So why Hu Ming? Her artwork is intriguing to me. She portrays communist soldiers, specifically the women. I've heard other bloggers and art reviewers tout her as celebrating the female chinese woman figure. I'm not sure how much I agree with this. But the artwork is definitely different. What I love about the works is that the figures, painted in oil, are not done as stereotypical perfectly slender models as you often see in America. These girls have some meat on their bones, and yet they are still depicted beautifully. Although the stances of some are somewhat odd.

If I remember correctly from my Chinese history books one of the things that occurred was that there was no differentiation between men and women when it came to the military. In America even today it still holds true that men are expected to be in the military and women although "allowed" are not required. We don't have to fill out draft cards when we turn 18. But in China everyone wore the same uniform at the time of Mao. Men and women were a part of the communist party and fought. Somehow it seemed like the lines of gender were somewhat blurred to me.

In Ming's art she seems to bring it to light as if to say, "Hey we are still women and we are different."

Overall, I like her use of color. I like the subject matter behind it. But being the fledgling artist that I am I am somewhat lost on the purpose behind some of the pieces. For instance the ones that she randomly decides to add goldfish. Perhaps it has some cultural meaning that I haven't learned of yet. I don't know. But overall I just enjoy her work. Although I do find some of her portrayals of Chinese women somewhat odd and in some ways makes me question her sexuality and wondering if perhaps that has something to do with how she portrays them. Although, I am not gay and I enjoy drawing the female figure more so than drawing men. So who knows.

Tell me what you think of her work in the comments below. Also, if you would like to check out her website go to:

http://hu-ming.com/

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