'Chubby Women Exhibit Gave Confidence to Plump Aussies
"Anybody can make a skinny woman, but people won't remember you. I wanted to make chubby women because it's unique and special" says world-renowned Chinese modern sculptor Xu Hongfei when asked why he created his "Chubby Women" exhibit.
His exhibit which showcases curvaceous and voluptuous woman can be seen the whole day today at Federation Square, Melbourne. Unlike other art exhibitions were people were not allowed to touch the art pieces, artist Hongfei allow visitors to touch the bronze sculptures; they can even take pictures with them and play around them.
Mr Hongfei's "Chubby Women" exhibit was aimed to challenge people's concept of beauty.
In an interview with Australia Network News, Mr Hongfei said, "There are many women with these kinds of figures in Australia. I want to give them confidence, a healthy, optimistic outlook, and represent very joyful aspects of everyday life - their daily activities, love and music."
"Using an oriental style, they are modelled on a universal language. Taking them to be exhibited in each country, many people enjoy this type of artwork very much. It's very direct, not very deep nor complicated. Putting the artworks outside, it becomes a type of activity, to let people interact with artworks that are often distanced from the audience in a gallery."
Mr Hongfei's "Chubby Women" was the very first exhibit sponsored by the Chinese Government in Australia. According to the curators of the exhibit, the "Chubby Women" aimed to develop the stronger relations between the Chinese and the Australian Culture.
About the "Chubby Women"
Artist Xu HOngfei described his sculptures as a way to have fun, "My works of chubby women are supposed to be fun. They weren't created so people could admire them from a distance; having people come up close, touch the works, imitate them and have their photos taken is an important part of the art."
The "Chubby Women" is the artists' appreciation of beauty from daily life. He found peace and charm as he sculpted each piece of art. He has his own way to emphasize what is unique and beautiful about the curvaceous bodies he portrayed in each piece.
"Chubby Women" is his way of respecting beauty of the human body in a totally philosophical stance. According to artist Hongfei, "each person has the right to enjoy one's own body and be confident and contented about it."
In a description from Evenfinder.com, Xu Hongfei believes art should be fun and amusing and has combined traditional and contemporary spirit of art in this series. His "Chubby Women" are independent and live their lives with both purpose and enjoyment. His meticulous use of white marbles, precious wood and bronze in portraying these figures has left viewers and art pursuers with new dimension to beauty in a revitalizing way."
About the Artist
Xu Hongfei is the President of the Guangzhou Academy of Sculpture and had been a great influence to the emerging Chinese artists. He is a prestigious Chinese contemporary sculptor acclaimed both by the artist industry and the academics.
He studied sculpture at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.
Since 1990's he already created sculptures for public places in China. During this same year, Chinese art master Huang Yongyu, Xu's greatest influence in the art, discussed with him a new style for his art; hence, the birth of "Chubby Women" collection which has now grown to over 100 pieces.
He also held various art exhibits in France, Hong Kong and Thailand.
In 2008, Xu was invited by the Paris Eighth District Governor to have her solo exhibit in the French capital. In the same year, he was the only sculptor to represent China at the International Olympic Committee at the "Olympic Sport & Art Exhibition."
Up to this very day, his art piece called "A Merry Victory" is still on display at IOC Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.