Xu Hongfei’s Chubby Women

August 17, 2013 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

We missed Chinese sculptor Xu Hongfei’s exhibition in Sydney, so were delighted to catch it in Federation Square during our visit to Melbourne!

The bright midday sun made iPhone photography tricky, but there was so much joy and exuberance in the pieces that I wanted to try and capture a little of it to share with you. Through his translator, the artist is quoted as saying that the message he wanted to convey was simply that chubby women “can be very happy and very beautiful and very confident”. Bravo!

I wonder if he’ll do an accompanying series for chubby men?

Mummies and babies…

chubby

This piece is known simply as “Kiss”…

And this one is my favourite, possibly because Big Boy plays the French horn, but also for the sheer happy concentration on the statue’s face. Just fabulous!

There were several more pieces which I couldn’t get a decent photo of, so I tracked down this promotional video on YouTube. It’s a little over the top, but there are some nice images in it (you might want to turn the sound down a bit)…

Have a great weekend, folks! x

Posted in Cool Things | 53 Comments

53 Responses

on August 17, 2013 at 12:04 am sallybr

Absolutely AWESOME!
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I wish I could have taken photos of all the statues for you, but the light was just so bright and glaring that I couldn’t get the white ones…
on August 17, 2013 at 2:36 am Pat Machin

Aren’t they lovely! So cheerful and exuberant.
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Just so happy! :) Glad you liked them, Pat! x
on August 17, 2013 at 4:02 am corneliaweberphotography

Love it, love it, thank you for sharing
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! Not the best photos, but hopefully they conveyed how happy these statues were! :)
on August 17, 2013 at 6:49 am abbyhula

Love! Those are just awesome – I love the facial expressions especially. Thank you for sharing your visit and the statues with us!
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:58 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Abby! Sometimes when I put up posts like these, I wonder if people will enjoy them – and I’m always so glad to hear from those that do! :)
on August 17, 2013 at 6:59 am Lizzy (Good Things)

Wonderful! A celebration of chubbiness in all its beauty! Great photos too, Celia.
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:59 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks darling! When I got to the first statue, I said to Pete…”oh, is THAT where that photo of Big Boy and me got to..” ;-)
on August 17, 2013 at 7:41 am hotlyspiced

These do look very happy but I’m wondering how that poor skinny guy is able to lift that very hefty woman! Interesting how the women are so overweight but his male sculptures are total eye-candy xx
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I believe he’s making a point, Charlie. ;-)
on August 17, 2013 at 9:59 am heidiannie

I think this is so fun and filled with joy! I love it that this is a man’s perspective- but I’m not surprised- women are much more judgmental of body size.
I love the sculptor- he looks a lot like the man in the pieces.
And I love that you shared this with us, Celia! You are a delightful woman and filled with a wonderful sense of joy! Thanks so much!
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:14 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Heidi, you’re right, the male sculptures DO look a bit like the artist! I figured he was just making the point that woman are all beautiful and attractive in all shapes and sizes! :)
on August 17, 2013 at 10:05 am Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

Aww that is gorgeous! Each sculpture has so much life and movement in it :)
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:14 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lorraine, they were so much fun – and drew such a big crowd too!
on August 17, 2013 at 10:27 am teawithhazel

it’s a bit crazy that i have to read your blog to find out what’s been on in my home town!
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, we were so fortunate it was on for just that one week that we were in Melbourne! We didn’t even know it was on – we just came across the sculptures during our visit to Fed Square! :)
on August 17, 2013 at 11:46 am Madge

Love Love Love this post, as much as I love your food posts it is posts like this that make your blog so rich and enjoyable. Thank you.
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Madge, you’re very kind, thank you! :) x
on August 17, 2013 at 12:35 pm Eha

What a wonderful HAPPY expression of life! One with a great deal of wisdom behind the artistry methinks, Celia :) ! I just love ‘The Kiss’ and the first one I think unnamed . . . simply joyous!!!
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Eha, I’m very partial to the first one too, with the mother and son! Close to my heart! :)
on August 17, 2013 at 12:53 pm @ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel)

So many things on in Melbourne at the moment that I’d love to see – this included. Thanks for the bright, cheery pics, Celia.
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:20 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Christine, so glad you enjoyed them! The exhibition was only on for a week in July..
on August 17, 2013 at 3:20 pm Tandy | Lavender and Lime

Amazing sculptures Celia :)
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:21 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Tandy!
on August 17, 2013 at 4:50 pm marilynscottwaters

I’m not chubby, I’m just easy to spot. :-)

These are wonderful. They made me smile. Thanks! Maz.
- on August 17, 2013 at 5:21 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’m easy to spot too.. :) Glad you liked them, Maz! xx
on August 17, 2013 at 5:38 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

Round people can be fun. :) I have fun all the time. LOL
- on August 17, 2013 at 7:20 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  So do I, Maureen, so do I.. :D
on August 17, 2013 at 9:47 pm Jane @ Shady Baker

These sculptures look beautiful and so vibrant & happy Celia!
- on August 18, 2013 at 6:36 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Aren’t they great, Jane? The boys wanted to do other things, or I’d have lingered longer and taken more pics!
on August 18, 2013 at 1:15 am Joanna

You certainly did well with those pics! I think you really got some good shots and they have made me smile, they are so full of life and joy, thank you :D
- on August 18, 2013 at 6:36 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’m so glad you enjoyed them! xx
on August 18, 2013 at 6:29 am peramangkelder

They remind me of Sumo Wrestlers (and I mean that in the nicest possible way)
- on August 18, 2013 at 6:37 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I think they’re beautiful… :)
on August 18, 2013 at 9:07 am deliciouslynell

Hi! I’ve nominated you for the best moment award. It’s completely optional, so if you’re interested then check out this post.

Otherwise, have an awesome day. :3
- on August 18, 2013 at 9:34 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! I don’t do blog awards, but it’s very kind of you to think of me.
on August 18, 2013 at 1:44 pm InTolerant Chef

They certainly show a gorgeous zest for life Celia, and just look so happy! Thanks for sharing them with the rest of us sweetie xox
- on August 18, 2013 at 9:22 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Becca, they made me smile and smile – so nice to be able to share that with everyone! :)
on August 18, 2013 at 3:20 pm Jan

I do love the chubby lady with the French horn – it’s so joyous!
- on August 18, 2013 at 9:22 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I just wanted to run up and cuddle them all – but didn’t (I’m not quite that weird :))
on August 18, 2013 at 5:04 pm ChgoJohn

What fun! Love how the photographer captured them in such a way to show off the sites around Sydney’s harbor. Exhibits in urban settings are really fantastic and I bet this one is very popular.
- on August 18, 2013 at 9:23 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  John, I’d seen photos of them in Sydney, but we missed them here. It was so nice and fortuitous to catch them in Melbourne!
on August 18, 2013 at 8:30 pm Sophie33

Waw! I love it all too! :) Georgous statues: funny & pretty too! I love humour in statues!
- on August 18, 2013 at 9:23 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sophie, it’s nice to see fun pieces isn’t it? So often statues are very serious.. :)
  - on August 18, 2013 at 9:25 pm Sophie33
    
    So true! We need real humour in our lives!
on August 19, 2013 at 4:58 pm niasunset

This is great art, fascinated me. Thank you, love, nia
- on August 20, 2013 at 6:05 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Nia, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! xx
on August 20, 2013 at 1:04 am dianeskitchentable

Great photography & to think that was with your IPhone. What amazing pieces.
- on August 20, 2013 at 6:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Di, the iPhone is astonishing for photos! I’ve written a few posts about it in the past:
  
  https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2012/07/18/cool-thing-13-hipstamatic-iphone-app/
  
  https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2012/07/20/a-study-in-succulents/
  
  https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2012/09/08/iphone-photography/
on September 29, 2013 at 9:10 pm Linda Vaux

Just seen some of these in the Piazza Grande in Montepulciano otherwise I might never have seen them. ‘Joyous’is a great word that has been used to describe them. I loved them particularly ‘Kiss’ and the sculpture of the lady playing tennis.
- on September 29, 2013 at 9:14 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  They’re pretty wonderful, aren’t they? :) How great that they’re traveling the world!