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National Museum of Women in the Arts

Winter with Cynical Fish

Close up of Winter with Cynical Fish

A square painting with layered, dripping textures of a Chinese woman with dark hair and a traditional dress. She gazes straightforward at the viewer. In front of her, a tree branch extends upward and a bird perches on the end of it. The background consists of two different shades of blue and on the left side of the canvas an open-mouthed fish points towards the woman.
A square painting with layered, dripping textures of a Chinese woman with dark hair and a traditional dress. She gazes straightforward at the viewer. In front of her, a tree branch extends upward and a bird perches on the end of it. The background consists of two different shades of blue and on the left side of the canvas an open-mouthed fish points towards the woman.
Hung Liu, Winter with Cynical Fish, 2014; Oil on canvas, 60 x 72 in.; NMWA, Gift of Fred M. & Nancy Livingston Levin, The Shenson Foundation in memory of Ben & A. Jess Shenson; © 2023 Hung Liu Estate/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Artwork Details

  • Artist

    Hung Liu

  • Title

    Winter with Cynical Fish

  • Date

    2014

  • Medium

    Oil on canvas

  • Dimensions

    60 x 72 in.

  • Donor Credit

    Gift of Fred M. & Nancy Livingston Levin, The Shenson Foundation in Memory of Ben & A. Jess Shenson

  • On Display

    Yes

The Artist, Hung Liu

Hung Liu blended Chinese and Western artistic influences to explore Chinese history and culture, gender, identity, and memory.
A light-medium-skinned older woman leans her elbow against an interior marble balustrade. Her grey and black hair is pulled back, and she wears a black long-sleeve top and drop earrings, a red necklace, a red ring, and a red heart-shaped lapel pin.