Four Cats Woodblock print; ink on pi zhi bast paper

Editor: Here we have Chen Haiyan's woodblock print, "Four Cats." The stark black and white imagery gives it a playful, yet slightly unsettling feel. How does this artwork speak to you? Curator: This print is fascinating in how it negotiates public and private imagery, especially within the socio-political context of 1980s China. The cat, often a symbol of domesticity, is rendered in this bold, almost agitational style. Does that contrast strike you? Editor: Absolutely, it does! So, the choice of a common subject matter and juxtaposing it with a bold style served a purpose? Curator: Precisely. It challenges the viewer to reconsider everyday life, to see the political within the personal, a common theme in that era. Editor: That makes me appreciate the artwork so much more, thank you. Curator: Indeed, seeing art through the lens of history always adds depth.