Xiaoxue Tang
Xiaoxue Tang
Plus VAT if applicable
Sleeve, 2020
Two photographic prints: platinum print and
albumen print from wet plate glass negative
20.3 x 25.4 cm each
Edition of 10 + 2 AP
About this work
To create this work, Tang photographed a transparent, fragile and light ‘sleeve’ to reflect on the phenomenon of people’s contempt for the identity of ‘housewife’ in daily life. In China, not only men but also many Chinese women may look down on housewives. Tang sees this profession differently: as like any other profession, and one which is even harder than some others. However, they don’t get the respect they deserve, which also leads to Chinese women' fearing ‘becoming housewives.’ The more serious consequence of this phenomenon is that many women deliberately cover up their femininity to get the same job opportunities as men. Tang deliberately chose to shoot this seemingly very feminine sleeve to challenge the fear of femininity, and also made two completely converse images, which were then combined to express her belief that there should not be a single attitude when understanding anything.
About Xiaoxue Tang
Xiaoxue Tang（b. 1993, Wuhan, China) completed her first MA Painting at China Academy of Art in 2018, and her second MA Painting at the Royal College of Art, London, 2020. Her work has been shown in exhibitions that include: Inter-Youth: International Painting Exhibition, the 12th National Exhibition of Fine Arts Exhibition of Mural, September; Humanity-Zhejiang Oil Painting Exhibition, Mei Exhibition/2018 in Shanghai Himalayas Museum.
Tang’s work centres on notions of home, including its interior and exterior contexts, which are presented in the ways of photography，painting, ceramics, embroidery, installation, etc. Her works mainly touch upon self-compassion, the exploration of female identity, the construction of their memories，family relationships, nonviolent communication, and courtyard life. Tang’s practice centres on what she describes as ‘the trivial things in daily life,’ including family members, animals and objects frequently used at home, not only trying to discover the secret and desire in what we have ignored, but also attempting to reflect on controversial social issues.
Education
2020 Royal College of Art, London, MA Painting
2015 China Academy of Art, MA Painting
Awards & Prizes
2016 Awarded the Zhejiang Academic Scholarship
2015 Awarded Outstanding Graduate of Grade 2015
2013 Awarded the 3rd Class Scholarship for Academic Excellence of Academic Year 2012-2013
2012 Awarded the 3rd Class Scholarship for Academic Excellence of Academic Year 2011-2012
Exhibitions
2020 50/50, Fold Gallery, London
2020 Final not Over, Unit 1 Gallery, London
2020 Snap Shot, Hockney Gallery, London
2019 Oh Dear, Safe House 1, London
2019 WIP, Royal College of Art, London
2018 The Fourth National Mural Exhibition, Shengda Art Museum, Zhengzhou, Henan
2017 No Exhibition, Shanghai Himalaya Art Museum
2017 Inter-Youth: International Paining Exhibition
2016 Dipingendo Roma, held by Rome Municipal Government
2015 Dipingendo Roma, held by Rome Municipal Government