In classical painting, women are often the object of the gaze, existing as passive subjects. This project reconfigures and recreates the depiction of female bodies in classical oil paintings through staged set designs, using photography to capture these images in a dramatic manner. In these works, the female body is deconstructed and “regazed” through the lens of photography. The elements of the female body are liberated from their traditional roles of pleasing and instead are imbued with meanings of sanctity and motherhood.
Xueqin Xie
Forms in Flux
About the Artist
Artist WebsiteXueqin Xie is a Chinese-born, London-based photographer, whose work focuses on perspective and the ‘male gaze’ in classical European art. When looking at classical paintings in the galleries, the depictions of male subjects compared to female subjects both surprised Xueqin Xie. Male subjects hold globes and stand proudly, almost daring the onlooker to question their achievements. Female subjects on the other hand lie passive, often nude with demurely painted faces. Xueqin seeks to invert gender stereotypes in art by inserting herself in the male subject’s place in some of the most iconic art and celebrated art pieces. The lack of female artists within the art cannon must be examined. The issue of male gaze transcends classical painting. It permeates modern culture from literature to film to social media. Women’s bodies continue to be commodified and objectified for a male audience. Xueqin’s insertion of herself into history redresses this issue and asks the onlooker to think about gender in art and culture and whether these ‘norms’ should continue.
