Nǚhóng
Also rendered as “nǚgōng” or “nǚgōng.” Traditionally, it denotes women’s tasks such as weaving, embroidery, and sewing.
Historically, it referred to women engaged in these activities. In contemporary usage, it broadly refers to female workers. Nǚgōng is synonymous with “nǚgōng (1).”
The cover of this piece features portrayals and aspirations of women derived from ancient Chinese poetry. The inner pages present a collection of poems by contemporary female poet Zhai Yongming, depicting herself or other women. The red thread symbolizes constraint, encircling the book's cover. The reader must unravel the thread to access the content, thereby experiencing the metaphorical entanglement. This work explores the idealized representations of women in ancient Chinese poetic and cultural contexts, highlighting how these male-centric perspectives have shaped contemporary societal expectations of women’s appearance and conduct. It juxtaposes these traditional views with the self-perceptions articulated by women, particularly through the lens of a female poet.
