A String of Prayer Beads Woodblock print; ink on pi zhi bast paper

Editor: This is Chen Haiyan's "A String of Prayer Beads," created in 1986. It's a woodblock print, and I'm struck by the juxtaposition of imagery and text. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful commentary on spirituality intersecting with the social realities of 1980s China. The woodblock print, a medium historically used for propaganda, subverts its traditional role. How does the artist use religious symbolism to perhaps question or critique the sociopolitical landscape? Editor: It's interesting to consider the context of religious suppression and the desire for personal expression. Curator: Exactly. The prayer beads become a quiet act of resistance, a personal meditation against a backdrop of collective ideology. The text, seemingly a personal narrative, further complicates the visual field. What do you make of the combination? Editor: It feels like a private moment made public, blending personal reflection with societal observation. Curator: Precisely. It highlights the tension between individual spirituality and imposed social norms, a dialogue that continues to resonate today. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It’s fascinating how much historical context shapes our understanding. Curator: Indeed. Art is always in conversation with its time.