Huang Gang

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About the artwork

This captivating sculpture by Huang Gang depicts two figures ballet dancing: One is a woman dressed in a tutu who bears a likeness to the Statue of Liberty, while the other is a soldier dressed more formally in her uniform, who also appears to be ballet dancing. During the Cultural Revolution, ballets were performed for entertainment and political purposes, and this work is a nod to this occurrence. While the ballerina in the tutu appears more flamboyant, the other dancer holds a rifle in her hands, a striking reminder of the period of social and political upheaval. Through his nuanced piece Huang Gang explores the differences between the East and West, while preserving a degree of ambiguity regarding his political sentiments that leaves his work open to interpretation.

About the artist

Born in Beijing in 1961, Huang Gang studied at the China Central Academy of Art and Design, graduating with a B.A. in Fine Art, followed by an M.A. in Environmental Art in 1991. Huang Gang was surrounded by traditional Chinese art and calligraphy since he was a child and, in the 1980s, developed an interest in traditional Tibetan culture which inspired him to incorporate Tibetan methods and motifs in his work. Huang Gang’s preoccupation with traditional Chinese and Tibetan culture comes as a response to the rapid socio-economic transformation in China throughout the 1990s. Recognized internationally, Huang Gang won the Ikuo Hirayama award in 1991 and the Silver Award at the 1st Beijing International Environmental Art Exhibition in 1995.