CHU CHU (B. 1975)

A native of Hangzhou, Chu Chu grew up in an artistic environment and studied at the China Academy of Art in her hometown, her father having graduated from the same academy. Chu received training in traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, photography and film, and for her doctoral degree she studied calligraphy under Wang Dongling. Chu explores the relationship between traditional and new media and integrates them in her artwork. The dried pear in the photograph was found by the artist in 2007. She photographed it in 2010, and reworked the black-and-white photograph by inscribing cursive calligraphy on the print. The text refers to writings by Zhuangzi, expanding the literary and philosophical dimension of the work.