On International Women's Day, an ancient women-themed cultural relic exhibition was opened in Chongqing Three Gorges Migration Memorial. Ms. Yue Zongying, chief of the memorial, said that it is the first of its kind staged in Chongqing. "More than 70 cultural relics, spanning about 3,000 years from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties to Modern China, showcase the rich life of ancient Chinese women in various respects." The exhibition, which will run from March 8 to June 6, is free to the public.
Works of ancient female calligraphers and painters. (Photo provided to iChongqing)
There are many stories behind fine cultural relics
In the Tang Dynasty, the female performing celadon figurine of Xiangyin Kiln, displayed in the center of the exhibition hall, has a plump face with bright eyes and fine features. Wearing a bun, a crew-neck blouse with narrow sleeves, and a long striped skirt, she kneeled on a square seat with her hands playing the Chinese lute in front of her chest. Her expression is respectful and charmingly naive. The figurine features a strong glass texture with bluish yellow, smooth and shiny glaze, which shows the superb skills of the porcelain artisans in the Tang Dynasty and the graceful and straightforward dress culture advocated by the women in the Tang Dynasty. The masterpiece was unearthed in Wanzhou District, Chongqing.
The female performing celadon figurine is displayed in the exhibition. (Photo provided to iChongqing)
"In Wanzhou District, there is a place called Fuma Village. Since ancient times, legend has it that a Fuma (emperor's son-in-law in Chinese) was buried there. In 1978, a tomb of the Tang Dynasty was discovered by accident. It is the first of its kind excavated by archaeologists in Chongqing. More than 80 vivid celadon figurines were unearthed, including the female one produced at Xiangyin Kiln in the Tang Dynasty," said Ms. Yue.
Tell the pride of Chinese women with cultural relics
"It is one of our attempts to plan themed exhibitions around traditional festivals. Some of the exhibits in this exhibition are from private collectors, which is a measure to head the call of 'bringing cultural relics back to life.'" Ms. Yue, the curator, emphasized that her original intention was to "tell the pride of Chinese women with cultural relics." "Chinese women have moved ahead from matriarchal society to modern society step by step with grace, firmness, and ease, creating truth, goodness, and beauty, and writing down a history of blood and tears. In the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization, generations of Chinese women have contributed their wisdom and talent, leaving splendid cultural heritage. As a female cultural and museology worker, I have been thinking about how to tell the stories of Chinese women well?"
A bronze mirror is displayed in the exhibition. (Photo provided to iChongqing)
This carefully orchestrated exhibition is one of Ms. Yue's answers after consideration. "First, from a historical perspective, the exhibition presents the contributions of ancient women, who left an indelible mark on the long history. Second, through the ages, male artists have eulogized women in their own ways, demonstrating the former's respect for the latter. Thirdly, the exhibition is permeated with fine ancient Chinese cultural traditions so visitors can feel the unremitting pursuit of beauty by Chinese women for thousands of years. I think these are all reasons for today's women to visit this exhibition with pride."