CHINESE OPERA

CHINESE OPERA

Copper, steel, bronze, beads, gold leaf.

H – 47” / 120cm

W – 24” / 61cm

D – 10” / 25cm

£16,000

This was the first piece in years I took the time to make purely for myself, after completing my commission for Petticoat Lane, an inclusive gay bar, nightclub and restaurant, is a cornerstone of the Hong Kong gay scene with regular live shows & performances.

I was commissioned by the intrepid restaurant entrepreneur Richard Feldman the owner of Petticoat Lane, facilitated by Alison Pickett, a Corporate Art and Sculpture consultant (whom I have worked with before on a sculpture for the Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo) to make three hair sculptures for the restaurant.

One inspired by Marie Antoinette, one by drag and one by the Chinese Opera.

This really was a dream commission, so much to be inspired by and get my teeth into.

I had never researched Chinese Opera or more accurately Peking opera, or Beijing opera, which is the most dominant form of Chinese opera, which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in Beijing in the mid-Qing dynasty (1644–1912) and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century, so it has a rich history.

This research opened up such a rich vein of inspiration, especially the headdresses, which are dripping in opulence, beauty and are incredibly intricate.

I was so affected by making them that after I finished my commission I had to make another to expel all the inspiration still pulsing in my veins.

This piece is one of my most favourite I have ever made and am itching to make more!