"In these unique times (of the pandemic), we have had new life experiences and understandings, and I increasingly realize that art is the best medium to break down barriers and biases, and to bring people together. And for artists, their creation and thinking never stop," Zhu says.

"In art history, the images of women are often just objects to be gazed at. In our exhibition, women are the subject of creation."

Zhu says that she feels an increasing amount of people are supporting female art. While she overcame various hurdles hosting previous exhibitions with a limited budget, this year she was invited by Xiao Yu, founder of La Vie Art Center, who provided the venue.

The art center is an industrial space with coarse concrete walls, which, according to Zhu, tackles the stereotype of women being frail, and allows the artists to converse with the viewers through powerful artworks.

Because of the large space, the artists are able to exhibit artworks on a bigger scale and many decided to do the installation themselves, one of them being artist Yuan Xiaotian.