Today's society is very focused and crazy about the obsessive idea that "thinner is better," so Chinese sculptor Xu Hongfei conceived "Chubby Women," works of art that represent a different idea of beauty through curvy sculptures.
Xu brought his works back to China's capital city last Jan. 5, 2015, to show this new exhibition after two years of his art tour to several parts of the world.
The three-day exhibition displayed 25 large sculptures at the courtyards of the Forbidden City and 32 small ones were on shelves. The sculptures, regardless of size, all depicted large-framed women in an exaggerated fashion.
"The 'chubby women' sculptures are a breath of fresh air and a welcome break from all the commonly employed styles incorporating modern Western sculpting techniques," told the vice president of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Liu Lanfang.
Xu believes that the plump figures are easier and more suitable for artists like him to create. He takes joy and inspiration in the size and dimension of his sculptures.
"I was worried whether the 'chubby women' sculptures would be able to fit into the venue. As it turns out, the effect is beyond anything I could have ever hoped for," Xu said.
"Xu's sculptures are close to people's hearts and show the real joy and beauty of life. Maybe this marks the coming of a new era, where China's sculptures are created for the people," said Liang Jiang, former deputy curator of the National Art Museum of China.
The figures of women show agility, coordination and continuous movement. The happy sculptures, with exaggerated expressive faces and excess body movements, can brighten the day of any viewer.
The sculptures present women in their daily activities like playing football, dancing, fiddling with musical instruments or playing around with children.
Xu has exhibited his artworks on different landmark buildings like the Tower Bridge in London and the Sydney Opera House. His latest exhibition is the first time his works are shown in an ancient Chinese compound.
The artist mentioned that his works perfectly blend in the scenes of the ancient palace and its skyline.
First launched at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing in March 2013, his exhibitions were also displayed in several countries such as Australia, Italy, France, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
He will hold a series of exhibitions outside China after his exhibitions in Beijing. "Chubby Women" will be in Turkey and the United States next.