Inspired by her own experience of becoming a mother, YEUNG has recently turned to painting and sculpture to explore the themes of motherhood and the challenges faced by women. Her work frequently addresses women’s issues, highlighting how, despite being such a significant part of society, women who follow traditional paths to motherhood often lack a voice. Their needs are suppressed, their struggles in child-rearing are overlooked, and they are marginalized or objectified, leading to exhaustion and self-sacrifice. YEUNG believes that those who can speak out for women have a responsibility to do so, as an acknowledgment of their female identity.
In her series on motherhood, YEUNG delves into pregnancy, cesarean sections, nurturing children, and the shared moments of growth between mother and child, capturing the long journey of a woman becoming a mother. The authentic expression of the female voice is a consistent theme in all of YEUNG’s works. She challenges the traditional portrayal of motherhood, arguing that mere glorification places women on a moral pedestal, further entrenching them in struggles. To describe maternal love solely with words like "praise," "sacrifice," "dedication," and "happiness" is, in her view, a distortion that disregards the real pain mothers endure. This superficial celebration of motherhood creates unrealistic expectations for young women and perpetuates the misconception that childbirth and child-rearing are simple tasks.
In YEUNG’s work, women are no longer reduced to symbolic and stereotypical "mother" figures. The process of childbirth itself becomes a source of artistic inspiration, and the role of the mother is portrayed as dynamic and full of life. Mothers are allowed to experience negative emotions, pain, and helplessness, and the struggles of motherhood are made tangible. While motherhood is an identity, behind it are individual women with their own stories. If gender is a condition, YEUNG is committed to authentically expressing the reality of that condition.
Born in Harbin in 1987, YEUNG currently lives and works in Shanghai. She graduated from the Department of Film and Animation at Mianyang Art College, Sichuan Conservatory of Music, in 2010. Her artistic focus revolves around feminism, exploring the relationship between mothers and children, as well as the challenges women face. She often draws inspiration from fragmented moments of everyday life, weaving these experiences into the themes of her work.
Exhibition Experience:
- July 2024 - ANGLOMO Book & Space Solo Exhibition "The Blessing of Destiny," Shanghai
- May 2024 - GOOD! Art Fair, Shanghai
- May 2024 - 2024GAF SHANGHAI ILLUSTRATION FAIR, Shanghai
- September 2023 - UNKNOWN ASIA 2023, Osaka
- May 2024 - GOOD! Art Fair, Shanghai
- May 2024 - 2024GAF SHANGHAI ILLUSTRATION FAIR, Shanghai
- September 2023 - UNKNOWN ASIA 2023, Osaka
她常在作品背后反映女性议题。女人们千百年来遵循传统成为母亲，作为这样庞大的群体在社会上却鲜有自己的声音。她们的需求被压制，育儿困境被漠视，被边缘化甚至物化，最后在疲惫中自我消耗。YEUNG相信每一个有能力为女性发声的人都应该发声，这是一件身为女人很自然的事和对女性身份的认同。
在母亲系列的作品中，YEUNG将焦点放在孕期、剖宫产、哺育孩子，以及母子共同成长的时刻，呈现了女性成为母亲的漫长旅程。
真实的表达女性的声音贯穿着YEUNG每一幅作品的主题。有别于传统社会对母亲价值的表达，YEUNG相信一味歌颂伟大是将生育后的女人架在道德高处，只会让女人们陷入更深的困境。她认为仅仅用“歌颂”“牺牲”“奉献”“幸福”来表达母爱是失真的，是对真正的母亲的亵渎，是对母亲的痛苦的忽视。浮于表面的美好宣传让年轻女性盲目期待生育，而让男人认为生育及抚养孩子是一件非常容易的事。
在她的笔下，女性不再因为生育而被“母亲”的形象取代，变得符号化和刻板化，主心骨从个体的身上被剥离。女人生育的过程也可以成为绘画灵感，母亲的角色也能一样灵气四溢。母亲也可以拥有负面情绪, 可以是痛苦或无助的，母亲的困境是具像化的。母亲是一种身份，但身份的背后是一个个具体的女人。如果性别是一种处境，那么YEUNG则尽力真实的表达女性处境。
YEUNG于1987年出生于哈尔滨，现生活及工作在上海，2010年毕业于四川音乐学院绵阳艺术学院影视动画系。她的艺术关注点主要集中在女性主义，探讨母亲与孩子之间的关系，以及随之而来的女性困境。她也常常从日常生活的零散片段中汲取灵感，将这些点滴表达为她作品中的主题之一。
出展经历
2024年 7月 上海 安古莱姆书店及空间，个人展览「命运的礼物」
2024年 5月上海 ， GOOD! Art Fair
2024年 5月 上海， 2024GAF SHANGHAI ILLUSTRATION FAIR
2023年9月 大阪， UNKNOWN ASIA 2023