Ebelle Shum

What You See First (November, 2023)

Contrasting the imagery of a classical lounging woman—typically depicted in art history as a passive and sensual figure designed to cater to the viewer's gaze—with a contemporary painted face bearing an expression of judgment introduces a striking shift in the power dynamic. This juxtaposition actively challenges the traditional, often unreciprocated gaze of the observer, compelling them to reconsider their role as a voyeur and regulating the degree of sexualization

Oil on Wood Panel

36x 48” 

About the artist:

Ebelle Shum is a Hong Kong visual artist currently based in Brooklyn, New York, pursuing a B.F.A. in Painting at Pratt Institute with minors in Art History, Museum and Gallery Practice, and Psychology. Their interdisciplinary approach blends traditional oil painting techniques with contemporary opinions, often exploring the intersections of identity, feminism, and the gaze. The female nude, a prominent feature
within her paintings, becomes not just a subject, but a conduit for exploring the complexities of power, identity, and representation. Recently, Ebelle has showcased their work in various galleries at Pratt Institute and also Green Point Gallery. They have also held internships at renowned institutions such as Hong Kong Sotheby's, where
they served as an ambassador for the Maison opening, and locally at Alfa Art Gallery, where they collaborated virtually on curatorial projects. 

"My paintings enter into dialogue with Art History and the canonical representations of the female form, utilizing and mimicking old master techniques and colors to insinuate timelessness. The speed of my method of painting in oil paint is evident, illustrated in the natural background or space of the work. The female nude emerges as a dominant subject, carefully situated within imagined natural landscapes,
serving as a focal point in my exploration of identity and sexualization within contemporary discourse. However, through the intentional obscurity of genitalia, I prompt viewers to confront the gaze without reducing my subjects to mere objects of sexual desire, regulating the degree of sexualization while engaging with feminist perspectives. Thus, I twist narratives on the power dynamics inherent in the act of
gazing through the judgment present in my characters. Challenging the traditional notions of beauty and agency, I invite viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the nude in art. Therefore, the female nude becomes not just a subject, but a conduit for exploring the complexities of power, identity, and representation. I want viewers to question the dynamics of looking and to contemplate the intersections of
desire, agency, and control."