CONGYU LIU
Palace

"Palace" examines how gender narratives are shaped and reinterpreted, reflecting the cultural belief in the Chinese proverb: "女人不可登大雅之堂" ("A woman does not belong in the halls of power"). This concept has historically defined women’s roles as passive, objectified, and subordinate, their identities tightly controlled and scrutinized.

The nearly nude male figure in the piece evokes both a sense of familiarity and estrangement, offering a reversal of the typical portrayal of women in art. Historically, women’s bodies have been presented for consumption, rarely celebrated for their agency or power. As the Guerrilla Girls famously critiqued, female figures in art are often depicted nude, while female artists themselves remain underrepresented in institutional spaces.

Through photography, "Palace" reimagines traditional representations of gender and power. It challenges these ingrained portrayals, offering a fresh lens on how these dynamics continue to shape perceptions of gender today.

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