Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

Abstract

This dissertation examines the articulation of feminist expression in contemporary Chinese women’s oil painting and its positioning and valuation within the art market. A focus is placed on Yu Hong and Hung Liu, analysing the interaction of gender, race, and censorship within both domestic and global frameworks. The study employs Grounded Theory to integrate qualitative and quantitative evidence from literature, exhibitions, market reports, rankings, and auction data, aiming to develop a theory from under-explored material instead of applying Western feminist beliefs.

Research suggests that recent advancements in female visibility are often driven by positive discrimination and curatorial “translation”, which uses gender for institutional and commercial objectives. These techniques may unintentionally reinforce marginality by portraying female artists as anomalies and so undermining the political and aesthetic intentions behind their work. In China, regulatory constraints and patriarchal institutional structures diminish representation and valuation; globally, neoliberal market principles commodify “feminism” as an appealing name while restricting creative possibilities. A comparative examination reveals Hung Liu’s bold critique and international position in contrast to Yu Hong’s subtler techniques within China, each illustrating different approaches to navigating risk, agency, and recognition.

This examination provides a market-centred analysis of Chinese feminist art, contending that enduring equality demands structural transformation beyond mere visibility measurements and recalibration of value away from gendered categorisation toward artistic significance.

Download

Share

COinS