Artist Juin Shieh explores what it is to be a woman in exhibition ‘She Postscript’
Today we take you to meet Juin Shieh, an artist who is also a teacher at National Tsing Hua University. In her latest solo exhibition titled "She Postscript," Shieh has created artworks evoking the struggles women face every day. Many of her works were inspired by Greek mythology. Our very own Stephany Yang spoke to Shieh to find out more.
This work is called "The Birth of Athena." After Shieh found a mannequin in the garbage at her school, she created Athena. Besides adorning her with a beautiful black dress, she also created a basketball net. The work explores women’s rights.
Juin Shieh
Artist
Athena was born from Zeus’ head and she was born armed. We cannot tell her sexuality. So, I dressed her in a beautiful, yet dangerous, yet protective dress. I gave her a light to shine her beautiful dress. I also moved her womb outwards, symbolized as a basket. It is a basket-shooting port. So, this is the perfect Athena to me. The basket shooting port symbolizes woman’s womb. It also symbolizes Athena’s womb. Every woman has a womb but it is your right if you want to use it or if you don’t. It is a human right.
Another work is called "Moving in Chaos.” Shieh has created a moving object with wheels. Powered by a remote controller, it moves around in a small frame. The work was inspired by Baroque patterns and Shieh’s childhood. It explores boundaries.
Juin Shieh
Artist
This work is about collisions making noise. It is like our boundaries. Everyone has their life boundaries. I made ornamented baroque-style patterns. Underneath there are wheels. The wheels will make metal noise when the collision happens. It reminds me that I have boundaries and I am framed. However, when I am trying to make it move, the frame will move too. I found myself traveling with boundaries.
Shieh obtained her doctorate of fine arts at the NYU Steinhardt School. She currently teaches at the Department of Arts and Design at National Tsing Hua University. Shieh’s works have been exhibited at several institutions. She juggles many roles as a daughter, mother, wife, scholar and artist. She says a lot of works have been inspired by her life, travels and the books she reads.
Juin Shieh
Artist
When I was 26 or 27 something, I traveled alone in Europe for two months all by myself. I visited churches, I visited museums, I visited every spot and I also meet people from every country. It inspired me and also opened my vision for art. Art is not only for art’s sake. Art is like your daily life. Art is like your culture.
During her career, Shieh has dedicated herself to women’s studies. She has created numerous artworks to portray the obstacles and struggles facing women, as well as showcase their power. Some of her works also touch on the topic of the #MeToo movement and Greek mythology.
Juin Shieh
Artist
Recently, there is a big issue about #MeToo. I have some artwork which is about #MeToo. I use also Greek mythology women, like a forest nymph who is Syrinx. She was sexually harassed by Pan. Pan is a kind of God with a goat bottom and a human torso with a horn on his head. He was chasing Syrinx. So, I painted so many paintings in this exhibition. Like those small ones where Pan was chasing and running away.
Shieh’s solo exhibition “She Postscript” will be on show at Mind Set Art Center till Jan. 12.
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2023-12-27
