In the realm of contemporary art, the Chinese artist Lan Zhang（Lan Lan）has gained attention for her unique anthropological perspective and profound insights into the female condition. As a female artist who graduated with a Master in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts and Design at the University of the Arts London, Lan Zhang’s artistic explorations are not merely an expression but a profound reflection and resistance to the current societal gender roles and statuses.
At the core of Lan Zhang’s artistic creation lies the “reflection and resistance against gender roles and status.” Drawing from her personal experiences of being considered “the second sex, subordinate to men,” she instigates deep contemplation on the relationship between genders. In her investigation of the contemporary living conditions of women, Lan Zhang discovered that women’s gender roles and status are constrained by the patriarchal system in various aspects, including rituals, traditional laws, language, customs, etiquette, education, and division of labor. The influence of patriarchal religious culture on women’s status is particularly significant. Hence, her works often feature goddess symbols, aiming to reveal the existence of prehistoric matriarchal societies through art and emphasize the potential of goddess symbols in resisting and overthrowing the patriarchal system.
Lan Zhang’s work involves gender equality, female liberation, and breaking the shackles of the patriarchal system through goddess symbols. She aims to promote the concept of gender equality in artistic expression and to call for reflection and resistance against the patriarchal system. Her artworks focus not only on the plight of women in a patriarchal society but also attempt to change religious culture, especially patriarchal religious culture, by proposing the concept of goddess religion, encouraging people to rethink gender roles.
In her creative process, Lan Zhang was influenced by feminist theologian Carol P. Christ. Combining her experiences as a single mother and a woman in a patriarchal society, she has created new goddess images. Using Dongba script as a structural basis, she integrates prehistoric sculptures, prehistoric European goddess statues, prehistoric religious symbols, Chinese oracle bone script tomb inscriptions, rock paintings and children’s drawings from around the world to create a unique visual language.
During her more than two years in London, Lan Zhang actively participated in public exhibitions. Her works were exhibited in the “It’s a Goofy World” exhibition at Gallery Marquess, the “Whispered Canvases” exhibition at Silian Art and Design, and other professional exhibitions, successfully selling nine works for a total of approximately £25,000. These achievements not only showcase her professional level but also reflect her popularity in the art market. Her works are collected by international collectors, including British MP Simon Danczuk, demonstrating her international influence.
Particularly noteworthy is Lan Zhang’s “Marriage” series, which profoundly reflects her exploration of women’s roles in contemporary society. This series combines Dongba script, oracle bones, geometric patterns from ancient tomb pottery, and rock paintings from China’s southwest region, showcasing Lan Zhang’s unique talent in merging art with anthropology. In these works, she skillfully combines Dongba pictographic script with Keith Haring-style stick figure symbols, ingeniously applying ancient texts to contemporary artistic expression.
Lan Zhang’s “Marriage” series, consisting of five works based on her personal experiences, embodies her interest in anthropology and her extensive experience in children’s art education. These works, through simple yet powerful symbolic patterns, depict the different roles and statuses of women in marriage, resonating strongly with the audience.
Photo Credit: Lan Zhang
“Marriage” series
2021-2022
At the “Drunk” group exhibition held at The Grosvenor Pub in London on March 6, 2023, Lan Zhang’s work “Woman” was collected by British collector Simon Danczuk even before the exhibition opened, demonstrating the high popularity of her works. Furthermore, her oil paintings “A Girl With Flowers” and “In The Church” were collected by Silian Gallery at the “Whispered Canvases” exhibition on July 15, 2023, and are planned for a touring exhibition in China.
Photo Credit: Lan Zhang
A WOMAN
Oil paint on Canvas ,30cmx50cm,2023
Photo Credit: Lan Zhang
A GIRL WITH FLOWERS (Left)
Oil paint on Canvas,2023
50cmx50cm
IN THE CHURCH (Right)
Mixed materials on board,2023
40cmx60cm
Lan Zhang’s works not only possess profound anthropological descriptions but also explore the symbolic existence of women in a patriarchal societal structure. Her unique style is easily recognizable by audiences, eliciting strong emotional resonance and prompting viewers to contemplate contemporary social issues. In the artistic community of London, Lan Zhang has achieved remarkable success in the field of painting through her profound insights into women’s issues and her unique creative language. Her exhibition and sales achievements, as well as plans for international collaboration, lay a solid foundation for her further development on the global art stage.
Lan Zhang’s artistic journey demonstrates that she is not only a talented artist but also a keen social observer and commentator. Her works are deeply rooted in anthropology and feminist theory, challenging the status quo and seeking change through art. In London, a hub of international art, Lan Zhang is emerging as an influential force in the international art scene with her unique artistic language and profound insights into women’s issues.
