Chinese porcelain evokes a sense of beauty in fragility; the workmanship of its painting contrasts with the delicate quality of tableware. Although cast in resin, Chinadoll is hand-tattooed with porcelain paint to mimic the iconic cobalt blue underglaze of Yuan dynasty Chinese ceramics. While working on this doll, I was reminded of favorite childhood tale The Sword of Damocles. In this story, a king is surrounded by beauty and magnificence as well as a huge dagger above his head, held only by a single horsehair. Although this tale is meant to be an allegory for the dangers present to those in positions of wealth and power, I see beauty as a form of power which is threatened but also enhanced by its fragility. To me this echoes the reality and brevity of life, and Chinadoll is living in such a state — by the fragility of her bones, the breakable ceramics above, and the elaborate but heavy hair weighing on her small neck.
