Artwork Description

Title: Dazzle of Shadow
Artist: Yumei Zhou
Date: 2016
Medium: Mixed media
Dimensions: 19.7 x 15.7 in (50 x 40 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Dazzle of Shadow is a vibrant and conceptually layered mixed media piece by Yumei Zhou, created in 2016. The work comprises six elongated oval vignettes rendered on a luminous neon-red background, each illustrating stylized, curvaceous female figures or symbolic forms in delicate linework. These vignettes are set within a backdrop of white faux fur, introducing a tactile, sensual, and surreal surface that heightens the visual contrast and symbolic tension.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Zhou’s artistic vocabulary draws on Pop Surrealism, feminist illustration, and decorative iconography, with echoes of erotic manga, Art Nouveau, and tattoo art. The soft curves, bright color contrasts, and whimsical yet assertive female forms are reminiscent of both Western pin-up traditions and Eastern ornamental aesthetics. The use of synthetic fur as a ground introduces a humorous, fetishistic, and tactile element that critiques and celebrates femininity in equal measure.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2016, Dazzle of Shadow aligns with a wave of feminist-inflected contemporary art in China, where artists explore gender identity, body politics, and visual pleasure through both traditional media and unconventional materials. Zhou’s work interrogates the aesthetics of objectification and fantasy while reclaiming decorative forms as vehicles for self-expression and subversion.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The mixed media elements are secure, with no signs of damage, discoloration, or wear. The faux fur remains clean and intact, and the neon background retains its saturation. The piece is well-presented in a protective clear case, suitable for display.

6. Artistic Significance
Dazzle of Shadow is a bold, witty, and visually arresting work that exemplifies Yumei Zhou’s commitment to exploring femininity, sensuality, and surface aesthetics through experimental media. Its blend of softness and sharpness—both in material and theme—invites nuanced readings of gender, desire, and play. An ideal acquisition for collectors focused on feminist art, contemporary mixed media, and the evolving language of postmodern Chinese visual culture.