China’s Contemporary art scene is little different from the West’s in that it is heavily dominated by male artists, a subject taken up by this Chinese news report:

Distorted and naked, sculptures by Xiang Jing – one of China’s top contemporary female artists – have been called controversial and “in-your-face” by critics.

The 43-year-old sculptor’s most expensive work to date went under the hammer for nearly US$400,000 – a rare achievement for a woman in China’s male-dominated art market.

“I had lots of female schoolmates back in art school. But in the end, very few of them persevered professionally. Eventually, a lot of them quit after a while,” said Xiang Jing.

And it’s not for lack of talent.

Xiang Jing said the majority of female artists quit the profession because of pressure to fulfil their duties as mothers and wives.

“Everyone feels strongly about traditional values. So I think that’s why most women artists quit after marriage, or especially after they become mothers. I’ve no children, that’s why I’m still here!,” she said.

Breaking Through China’s Male-centric Arts Scene (ChannelNewsAsia.com)