Yoko Ono

In 2009, before she was one of the UK's most recognized performance artists, known for challenging stereotypes about women, femininity and “Chineseness”, Xie ...

“It’s very different from seeing it in person, but in a way, it’s more intimate, because the camera work is so strong, and captures the discomfort of people cutting. Ono’s Cut Piece shook the art world, and remains largely regarded by many critics as one of the first examples of performance art, and a pivotal piece in the canon of feminist art. The artist entered the stage in her best dress, sat in a traditional sitting position, and invited the audience to cut pieces of her clothing with scissors, and then take the piece with them. In February 2022, when Europe was finally opening up after the pandemic, Rong performed Cut Piece again in Zurich. So while packing up the hats and shirts that Yoko Ono purchased that day in the Notting Hill boutique, Rong made sure to tell her the story of her engagement, and how much her and Luke cherished that broken piece—how they were excited to return to the Tate, together, to rebuild the vase in 2013. The next day, Rong’s naked body was plastered all over the pages of German newspapers. The German museum wasn’t aware of the history between Rong and Ono. I felt like I was choking on the strong scent.” The invite came with feelings of excitement and trepidation. “We had no money at that time, so he used that broken piece of vase to propose to me,” Rong tells me. The idea that she would not be able to help rebuild the vase haunted Rong. While it was the first time they met, Yoko Ono had already been an important person in Rong’s life for some time.