Artist Statement
Nu Shu
My BA project aims to explore the strength and elegance of female culture while simultaneously preserving and inheriting the unique cultural heritage of women. Through my work, the audience experiences the discovery and exploration of the unique female culture represented by Nu shu, feeling the spirit of female power and unity it embodies. Nu shu, a script created and used by women for communication among women, represents the resilience and solidarity of women against social restrictions. However, with the passage of time, the users of Nu shu are dwindling, elderly practitioners are gradually passing away, and vast amounts of Nu shu materials are being lost and scattered, putting Nu shu at the brink of extinction. But the female power contained in Nu shu will not perish, as it is not only a symbol of the past resilience and determination of women but also an inspiration and motivation for contemporary women. Through my artwork, I aim to convey the cultural value of Nu shu to a wider audience while deepening their understanding and appreciation of female culture. The chosen form of expression is to carve out the Nu shu characters I have designed using wood carving, drawing inspiration from water droplets for the strokes of the characters. I choose to depict the strokes in the shape of water droplets because water, both soft and powerful, symbolizes femininity in Chinese culture. These characters are printed on paper and displayed alongside wooden carvings. I believe this form not only showcases the unique beauty of Nu shu but also conveys my understanding and appreciation of female culture while encouraging audience interaction. By presenting Nu shu in artistic form, I aim to raise awareness of its existence, foster appreciation for its uniqueness, and stimulate interest in exploring and contributing to Nu shu culture, sparking discussions on women’s rights, female power, and unity. I hope that through my artwork, more people can understand and participate in the action of protecting and inheriting female culture.
