Religion Is The People's Opium Collage

The Disco Diva Amanda Lear’s single “Queen of China Town” – gets her singing in a growling voice – “It was dark in China Town when I met the opium queen...”. Gender roles around the world, as well as considerations regarding their history, become a focus for reflection. Historical events, costumes, social practices; of the concubines in ancient China. Their rich vestments and props, their sensuality, their difference, make part of “our” notions regarding exoticism. Their posture is majorly known to westerners as a result of “our” own experiences - a mixture of contemporary and traditional phantasies. Queen Padmé Amidala’s costumes from the Star Wars saga, were based on those worn by Chinese concubines. Some of Alexander Mcqueen’s dresses had the same source of inspiration. These are just two of many examples regarding the translation of their appeal and at the same time the fear they may induce in “us”; a fear based on that which isn’t fully understood. The image in this work is identified as a female, a Chinese concubine who became an emperor (she wasn’t an empress for only men were allowed that title). She existed and her name was Wu Zetian, from the Tang Dinasty (during the seventh to the eighth Centuries). This real-life story gave place to a TV series from the 1980s, which became popular on Chinese Television. At the age of fourteen she was introduced to the court as “Cairen”, serving the emperor Taizong. He fell in love and married her. The rest of the court saw Wu Zetian as an outsider - a commoner. When the emperor died, her enemies sent her to a monastery. But Li Zhi, who succeeded the throne, had secretly fallen in love with her too. They married and a relationship based on love and complicity gave place to their mutual reign. When the young emperor unexpectedly died, Wu Zetian governed China alone, as a female emperor. She is represented with all the paraphernalia and attributes of a mythical, sanctified figure. Wu Zetian continues to stand between the exotic: an object of curiosity and desire; and a world wide vision: a saint? Or “other”, the outsider? A feared opium dealer? Or the “savior” who is yet to come?

Collage:Paper on Cardboard

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:39.4 W x 28.3 H x 1.2 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.