Xu Hongfei, an artist from Guangzhou renowned for his 'Chubby Women' sculptures, held a special exhibition in Saint Petersburg, Russia on June 10.

The sculptures of overweight women, which challenge pervasive artistic stereotypes and demonstrate Chinese people's optimistic attitude towards life, are Xu's best-known works. They have won wide acclaim as a part of exhibitions around the world.

Xu Hongfei, a Guangzhou artist, holds a special exhibition featuring 44 of his works at Repin Institute of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg on June 10. [Photo/Nanfang Plus]

The exhibition was part of 2019 Guangzhou Culture Week, an event designed to promote culture around the world and marked Xu's 33rd destination of his world tour. It also functioned as one of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

A total of 44 works by the Guangzhou artist were displayed at the exhibition, which will run until June 23.

Since 2013, Xu Hongfei's 'Chubby Women' series of sculptures have been displayed at 32 exhibitions in 29 cities across 14 countries including China, France, and Australia. Conversely, the Guangzhou artist has been inspired by his trials, capturing the lifestyles of people overseas, absorbing the cultural characteristics of the exhibition venues, and integrating exotic cultures with Chinese culture while creating new works. 

In recent years, as the cultural exchanges between China and the world continue to grow, Guangzhou Culture Week has become a successful platform for cultural communications between China and foreign countries. Highlighted by his 'Chubby Women' works that display the positive spirit of Chinese people, Xu's exhibitions have become a significant part of Guangzhou Culture Week.

Visitors admire one of Xu's works at the Repin Institute of Fine Arts. [Photo/Nanfang Plus]

A visitor walks past Xu's Chubby Women sculptures at the exhibition in Saint Petersburg. [Photo/Xinhua]