Did you know Chinese people also helped Europe to win the First World War ?
This year we celebrate the 45 years of Europe-China diplomatic relations (1975-2020). Time to recall the unknown story of Chinese people working to the bones, risking their lifes, to back our soldiers in the front lines between 1916-1920. At the Western front, these « coolie » were 140.000 in the beginning. More than 30,000 never came back to China. So many died building our brigdes, our ditches, our hospitals for soldiers. A so powerful support. So the Chinese sculptor, living in Belgium, Yan Shufen, realized a heartbreaking monument to remind it. Recently, she also created some masterpieces about Peace.
LHCH had opportunities to meet this charming sculptor Yan Shufen, born in China and living in Antwerp since 1992.
LHCH: Were Belgian people engaged in this project of supporting European soldiers ?
Yan Shufen: Not directly. The British managed all the works in France, United Kingdom and Belgium. Actually China didn’t send any soldiers. Following the book of Sun Zi, « Art of the War », they applied his theory of « 6 people are needed to back 1 soldier ». A great and traditional idea to support the Allied war effort. But at which price ? Some Chinese kids were also sent to Europe…
LHCH: The Memorial Sculpture at Poperinge is very simple and in the same time so expressive.
Yan Shufen: To reach Simplification is a big job. I spent more than a month collecting information from all channels. Actually, different countries keep information, pictures, diaries and so on about Chinese workers during the First World War. My thoughts slowly become clearer day by day. The sad images of Chinese workers were becoming more and more vivid… I felt a fire was burning in my heart. When I started creating, I couldn’t stop at many stages. Sometimes I didn’t sleep for two or three days… I kept working until the end… these statues : they carry a hundred years of memories and emotions… I can’t let them have any flaws. But finally，I chose to represent 3 Chinese workers. Only 3 symbolizing 140.000. I still think it is more expressive like this.
LHCH：At the opening ceremony, I saw the statue on the spot. I was deeply touched
Yan Shufen: thank you, this is one of my very favorite works.
LHCH: You also created an outstanding sculpture based on the symbols of hand and pigeon available to the public in the Antwerp Central Station that is known as the most beautiful station in the world.
Yan Shufen: Yes, its also tour in Shanghai before coming back here. Actually, Hand is a city symbol of my town. It stands for love, freedom and friendship. The symbol of pigeon, of course, stands for universal beliefs in peace. I liked to combine both.
« China gave me Academic technics, Europe gave me Imagination »
LHCH: Please can you tell us your background in the Art of Sculpture ?
Yan Shufen: First I studied in the ceramic art design ( like teaware), drawing and sculpture in Luoyang, China. Between 1981and 1992, I was Chinese Sculpture and drawing teacher, then went on in Beijing, at China Central Academy of Art and Design. I received a National prize for best sculpture of the Annual Movie Awards in early eighties. In 1985, my «Butterflies » sculpture was exhibited at foreign exhibitions organized by the Chinese government in Luoyang. Afterward, I created a huge » bas relief », 29 meters X 5 meters, in Tianjin City. My “Playing children” sculpture was exhibited in Qin Huangdao Park, Hebei province, in 1987. Recently, also in China, I created a sculpture about Overseas Chinese coolies in Weihai, Shangdong. Because more than 70% of Chinese laborers were from Shandong Province.
LHCH: In the same idea than the masterpiece in Belgium ?
Yan Shufen: Yes, but with a different kind of expression.
LHCH: As a well known artist in Flanders, did you create anything special for the COVID era ?
Yan Shufen: With the local government, we launched the project « 5,000 statues to support Antwerp entrepreneurs ». My « Hand of Peace » was produced in a small high-quality porcelain. The profit of sales will help to finance a platform that promotes Antwerp entrepreneurs. Later there will also be a website and a walk along Antwerp shops.
LHCH: Which kind of artist do you like in Belgium ?
Yan Shufen : Jan Fabre, for example. You know if China taught me a lot of academic techniques in drawing, sculpting, painting, Europe pushed me to develop my imagination.
LHCH: Do you sometimes travel to China ?
LHCH: You are officially Belgian since 1992. And your heart ?
Yan Shufen : Both in China and here. Different mentalities but each has its own benefits.
LHCH: What are your projects for now ?
Speed the message of installing “Hand of Peace » sculptures in the capitals of Europe.
Here is Yan Shunfen in Antwerp with “Hand of Peace”
Central Station
