Ethics of care and the art of fibre: a study of Chinese female artists’ creative practices

This study focuses on Chinese female artists, exploring how they express specific female viewpoints through fibre artworks. Discussions on gender roles have long been contentious among researchers. Due to historical roots, thought patterns, and power structures, males have historically dominated, resulting in relatively less attention to females. Such topics are unavoidable in artistic creation. This empirical study adopts a qualitative research methodology, conducting 20 semi-structured interviews with 11 freelance artists and 9 college art teachers. It emphasises women’s ethical concerns in establishing moral relationships, shifting from core moral concepts centered on caregiving to those influenced by interpersonal relationships. Qualitative research combined with thematic analysis was employed, gathering data through semi-structured interviews, coding, and categorising interview content using NVivo software to present three final themes: women’s concern, social concern, and nature concern. Under the care and guidance, this study explores how Chinese female artists utilise fibre materials to convey specific viewpoints and thoughts. It offers a new perspective on understanding the emotional expressions of female artists, contributing to advancements in contemporary art and women’s practices.