The window is an important aesthetic element in traditional Chinese architecture. A group of artworks together present an image of the ancient legendary heroine Mu Guiying adjusting her hair at the window.

The shadow puppetry installation on the left is titled “At the Window” created by artist Dang Feihua. It shows a graceful image of Mu Guiying after she has taken off her armor. She sits gracefully on a green bench in an elegant posture, complementing the real world scene outside the window.

“Flowing Light,” the work on a decorative window on the right, is by young artist Wang Ning. It complements Mu Guiying’s shadow puppet installations, showing a softer side of the heroine through artistic composition.

This pair of artworks is one of the highlights of the exhibition titled “Dian Xi Yi Ben – Shadow Puppetry and Contemporary Art Exhibition,” currently running at the Nanchizi Museum in Beijing. Together with two other artworks with Mu Guiying as the main theme in the exhibition, all the works present heroic female images in shadow puppetry art through different styles and artistic techniques.

Mu Guiying is a prominent figure in Chinese folk tale “Generals of the Yang Family Legends.” Her bravery and intelligence have inspired people for centuries, and she has long been considered a symbol of steadfast womanhood in Chinese culture.