Aug 31 - Sept 29 | Nina K Ekman x Catherine Ruane : Guardians of the Desert
Aug 31 - Sept 29 | Nina K Ekman x Catherine Ruane : Guardians of the Desert
Peipei Li (b.1996, Shenyang, China) works as a multimedia artist. She earned her BFA in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design and her MFA from the California College of the Arts in 2024. Li had her debut solo installation project, "New Order," at Yiwei Gallery in April 2022. Her paintings have been exhibited at the San Francisco Art Fair and Intersect Palm Springs, and collected by the Sasse Museum of Art.
Peipei Li's art explores the interplay between chaos and human emotions, inspired by traditional Chinese Taoist philosophy which highlights how power and truth emerge from life's chaotic fabric. Her portraits purposefully exclude facial features yet effectively convey identities, emphasizing that emotions stem from within rather than outward appearances. In tandem with her paintings, Li's provocative genital-like dolls confront societal taboos surrounding sex education and norms, stimulating dialogues on gender, sexuality, family planning policies, and reproductive rights.
Peipei Li
The Truth of the World is a Lemon
2024
Acrylic on canvas
48‘’ x 72'’
$3,000
Peipei Li
Hundun’s World
2024
Acrylic on canvas
5" x 7" each
$150 each
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #1
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(L)$660
(R)$600
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #2
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(L)$200
(R)SOLD
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #3
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(L)$200
(R)$200
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #4
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(L)$120
(R)$200
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #5
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(L)$150
(R)$200
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #6
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(L) $360
(R) $300
Peipei Li
Songzi Doll #7
2024
Felt, pearls, crystal beads, plastic beads
(1) $120
(2) $100
(3) $100
(4) $120
This artwork is called “Song Zi Wa Wa.”(Giving Child Doll) Originally, these dolls were posters hung on the walls of newlywed families in China, hoping for a quick pregnancy. These posters usually featured cute baby photos or drawings, showing the family's hope for children. They were not just decorations but also showed the family's deep wish for having kids.
Traditional Chinese values and family beliefs make Chinese families very focused on having descendants. Traditional views say that not having children is one of the biggest failures of being a good son or daughter. Since the end of the "one-child policy" in 2015, having children has become a hot topic. Young people are encouraged to get married and have children to continue the family line and meet their elders' expectations.
However, this pressure to have children clashes with the lack of sex education in China. During their teenage years, schools do not allow teaching anything related to sex, so many people don't know much about it. But once they become adults, these young people face a lot of pressure to marry and have children.
"Song Zi Wa Wa" shows sexual organs combined with the doll to explain reproduction in a very clear way. The artwork uses very direct language and visual elements to show the contradiction between pushing people to have children and the lack of sex education. This contrast highlights the confusion and helplessness of young people facing the pressure to have children.
"The truth of the world is a lemon" uses the unique style of the HunDun series, where the characters in the artwork are missing some of their facial features. In this particular piece, the main subject peels away layers of skin without facial features, revealing a lemon at the core of their body.
Lemons have many negative meanings in phrases like "hand someone a lemon" or "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." In these sayings, lemons stand for bad things, difficulties, or disappointments. Similarly, in this artwork, the lemon has the same meaning. It shows that when people only focus on quickly solving their immediate problems without truly understanding themselves, they end up with disappointing results. Life's problems and challenges are endless; under one problem, there is always another, just like the layers of skin in the painting, which are endless.
When a person only tries to solve every problem, they get stuck in a never-ending cycle. Even if they manage to find a solution, it will often be disappointing and sour, like a lemon. Therefore, in "The truth of the world is a lemon," the artist suggests that instead of blindly trying to solve problems, it is more important to see and understand one's true self. This artwork conveys a deep reflection: rather than constantly chasing quick fixes, it is better to take time to know and accept oneself. Only then can one break the cycle and find balance and satisfaction in life.
This piece not only criticizes people for avoiding self-reflection and chasing superficial solutions but also highlights the societal lack of deep self-awareness when facing life's pressures. The artist uses powerful visual elements to guide viewers to think about their own attitudes and actions when dealing with life's challenges. By peeling away layers of skin to reveal a lemon, the artist shows how people often overlook their inner state and needs while trying to solve external problems.
"The truth of the world is a lemon" reminds us that not all problems can be solved quickly and satisfactorily. Sometimes, only by taking the time to deeply understand ourselves can we find true solutions and achieve inner peace and satisfaction. This artwork calls for people to focus on inner growth and self-awareness while pursuing external success and problem-solving. Only in this way can we find true happiness in a complex and ever-changing world.