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National Museum of Women in the Arts

In Focus: Colette Fu

A woman with medium skin tone and dark hair wearing a black dress holds a large pop-up artist book, which unfolds in her hand and onto a table.
Colette Fu’s photographs find vibrancy and dimension in the form of intricate pop-up books.

Related Quote

What did Fu learn about her Yi ancestry during her travels?

A Fulbright scholarship enabled Fu to travel throughout Yunnan province, where she spent time with the Yi, one of the 56 ethnic groups recognized in China. Fu’s mother is a member of the Black Yi caste, an aristocratic minority who are responsible for administration and military activities.

In Ashima, Fu depicts the famous Stone Forest in Yunnan, which legend associates with Ashima 阿诗玛, a Yi maiden whose name means “as precious and bright as gold.” Forced to marry someone against her will, Ashima was rescued by her true love. However, on their way home, she was drowned in a flood and turned into a rock within the Stone Forest.

The Torch Festival, held in the Stone Forest each year, commemorates Ashima’s story. In addition to song and dance, the event features the lighting of 400 torches that are paraded in the form of a dragon.

Large-scale pop-up book with a group of limestone formations resembling weathered tree trunks sits on top of a hand-embroidered base of colorful geometric patterns that repeat in abstract shapes over the center of the piece. A crescent moon and single star peek from behind.
Colette Fu, Ashima (from “We are Tiger Dragon People”), 2008-2014; Ultrachrome Pigment Ink, Epson Enhanced Matte mounted onto Cougar 60 lb smooth cover, Black iris cloth, embroidered Tyvek; 17 x 25 x 10 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Purchased from the funds provided by Margaret Johnston, Krystyna Wasserman and Elizabeth Welles; © Colette Fu; Photo by Lee Stalsworth

Colette Fu, Ashima (from “We are Tiger Dragon People”), 2008-2014; Ultrachrome Pigment Ink, Epson Enhanced Matte mounted onto Cougar 60 lb smooth cover, Black iris cloth, embroidered Tyvek; 17 x 25 x 10 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Purchased from the funds provided by Margaret Johnston, Krystyna Wasserman and Elizabeth Welles; © Colette Fu; Photo by Lee Stalsworth

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Artists at Work Video Series: Colette Fu

Learn More about the Artist

Colette Fu creates sculptural pop-up books that illuminate cultures and depict myths and legends.

Explore the Artist’s Profile
A light-skinned, adult, Asian woman with black hair dressed in black sits on the floor of her cluttered studio surrounded by elaborate pop-up books. She holds up her mobile phone to take a photo.
Photo by Cris Crisman
Oct 21, 2023, to Apr 20, 2025
Enjoy a close-up look into the practices and perspectives of eight contemporary collection artists via short documentary-style videos. Presented in NMWA’s ground-floor Long Gallery, these captivating short films welcome visitors to the renewed museum. The installation’s intimate and immersive design sparks curiosity, inspires advocacy, and encourages slow looking during visitors’ exploration of the museum. The videos will premiere throughout the year. 
View Exhibition: In Focus: Artists at Work
A dark gallery space with three large screens playing a video. Three tufted benches are in front of the screens. On the right wall, it says "In Focus: Artists at Work."
In Focus: Artists at Work (installation view) at the National Museum of Women in the Arts; Photo by Joy Asico-Smith