Blood and hair: Human bodily materials in the works of Wenda Gu

Max Lee, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

Human blood, placenta and hair are materials used by artist Wenda Gu to explore issues of humanity, culture and identity. This essay examines four of Gu’s famous creations and the messages conveyed by the use of these bodily materials.

PROFILE PICTURE

BIO

Max Lee is a Hong Kong student of Aviation Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His love of travel, and interest in writing and reading travel blogs, bode well for his future career ambition to be a pilot and an aircraft designer.

REFLECTION

I came across the controversial contemporary Chinese artist, Wenda Gu, while researching a topic for the course GEC1C28 Contemporary Chinese and Western Art & Cultural Interactions. Gu’s use of human bodily materials in his art raises important global issues and are worthy of further study and acknowledgement. I had some challenges finding useful information about Gu’s art due to censorship, but fortunately, I had the opportunity to visit a local art collection and library, Asia Art Archive, to study more about his works. The editing process has taught me to effectively incorporate sources into my script and provide greater details, and has definitely helped me improve my skills and develop into a stronger, more diversified writer.