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A white-hot talent singled out on LA
Weekly’s “Top 10 Emerging Artists” list, Bai has become widely known
for her arresting “Porn Flower” paintings. Citing influences as diverse
as the ancient Chinese brush painters to Picasso with his iconic
“Desmoiselles D’Avignon,” to contemporary photographers such as Cindy
Sherman and Jenny Holzer, Bai’s shimmering resin coated tableaus are a
query into the modern obsession and objectification of women’s bodies
and sexuality. Unlike the great (male) pre-modern and modern artists
who were at once awed and intimidated by the feminine form, Bai’s 21st
century version offers the woman’s viewpoint that permits and extols
acceptance of her own sexuality. Flowers are presented as metaphors for
the beautiful and feminine life-giving form. The unique synthesis of
influences and techniques results in exquisite and stunningly original
work.
Recently, Yun Bai
let emerge an alter ego – “yunnybunny.” Yunnybunny arose out of an
attempt from Bai to channel her more innocent, playful self. The work
created by yunnybunny serves to complement the more sexually expressive
approach of the Porn Flowers. Although yunnybunny employs a more
primitive sensibility in her art, as well as a much more introspective
temperament, she also shares many qualities with her progenitor – such
as a feminist concern and a “benevolent rebelliousness.”