Do You Want Me? 1988

Walasse Ting created "Do You Want Me?" with vibrant colors and a bold, sensual style that breaks from traditional art norms. Ting, a Chinese-American artist, found himself navigating cultural expectations. He moved between worlds, pushing boundaries and blending Eastern and Western influences in his work. This painting challenges the passive portrayal of women often seen in art history. The figure exudes confidence, surrounded by a riot of flowers that seem to celebrate her sensuality. Ting creates an image of female empowerment that invites you, the viewer, into a direct and perhaps unsettling encounter. The question in the title hangs in the air. Do we see her as a person with agency and desire? In his own words, Ting aimed to capture a world "where women are free and have equal rights." This vision, rendered in lively colors and expressive brushstrokes, reflects both a personal ideal and a broader social aspiration. "Do You Want Me?" invites us to consider how we see and value women, challenging us to move beyond traditional representations.