Ebelle Shum

Objectification (April, 2024)

There are no more plump women left for Peter Paul Rubens to immortalize on canvas. Instead, he becomes the subject of scrutiny, placed at the center of attention in a clever inversion of his artistic narrative. This composition juxtaposes Rubens’ historical dialogue of sexualized women with a satirical twist, turning the tables on the artist himself. A woman, pointing directly at him with an expression of mockery or judgment, embodies a humorous yet pointed critique of his body of work

Oil on canvas

18x 36” 

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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."