Alicia Framis: From China With Love

Annet Gelink Gallery proudly presents the third exhibition of Alicia Framis (Spain, 1967).
Alicia Framis has been working and living in Shanghai since 2006. Quite like Framis, her works relate to society, and it is easy to see the influence of her immediate surroundings and living environment. All of the new works we present somehow reflect on Asian society, using ingredients of the domains of architecture, fashion and popular culture.

Not for Sale (2007) is a work in progress about children that are for sale around the world. The project started in Bangkok, Thailand, where Framis made the first portraits of children. The children are naked except for a necklace that says 'Not for Sale'. At first sight, the images appear to be sweet and soft; the boys are smiling and seem to be happy and healthy. It is only when you have a second look that you notice what Framis is pointing out: the reality of the fragile and dangerous position of many children these days. And the real risk to be actually sold.
Since she is living in China, Framis has been interested in the idea of portraits as propaganda, like the ones of Mao Zedong, or the king of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej. Adulyadej's portrait hangs everywhere in Bangkok;. Framis is using the same measures for her photo's as Adulyadej's. In Not for Sale we see the methods of propaganda portraits used on a different subject. Abulyadej's propaganda posters have an optimistic, cheerful appearance in which certain details or attributes are conveying the message. Framis shows these beautiful smiling kids in their idyllic surroundings, with only their small attribute of a necklace revealing their possible fate.

China Five Star - 100 ways to wear a flag (2007) is a tribute to Chinese women. Framis asked several fashion designers to make a dress inspired by the Chinese flag. This work refers to her earlier anti-dog series, a collection of designs made with a special fabric (Twaron) that is fire proof, bullet proof and dog proof. The anti-dog collection protects women from aggressive behaviour and - maybe more important - gives them the courage and strength to walk around fearless and powerful. With China Five Star, Framis again empowers women by presenting them in a national symbol.