Rona Hu shows the human side of migrant workers at Eastation Gallery
Mainland artist Rona Hu has always conveyed strong political and social messages through her work, and her latest exhibition, "The Underprivileged" is no exception.
Mainland artist Rona Hu has always conveyed strong political and social messages through her work, and her latest exhibition, "The Underprivileged" is no exception.
As with many of her paintings, Hu captures typical people in contemporary society. For this show - which runs until May 31 - she focuses on rural migrant workers, an underprivileged class of more than 260 million people suffering from marginalisation and discrimination.
In her soft pastel oil on canvas works, Hu shows these people in realistic spaces, but adds her surreal twist. This is best seen in Reflection, which shows a construction worker reflected in the glass of a giant skyscraper. Hu makes a bold statement about the underprivileged living and working in the shadow of prosperous cities, as well as the mainland's surging growth.
The truth of the historical moment must be captured by those living in that time
The artist's Portrait of the Underprivileged (6) and (Portrait of the Underprivileged (8), geometrically fragmented portraits of construction workers, feature men with cigarettes dangling from their mouths, and leave a lasting impression.
"'The Underprivileged' was conceived at a time when society was facing elevated conflict between entitled and underprivileged," says Hu.
"I hope this series acts as a medium where hard truth is captured, regardless of future interpretations. History can be redecorated by subsequent generations, so the truth of the historical moment must be captured by those living in that time."
