Soft Sculptures
Between dream and waking
In Zhuangzi's story of the Butterfly Dream, a man wakes unsure whether he dreamed of being a butterfly or is a butterfly dreaming of being a man. Zhuang Sheng remains in that uncertain space. Its marionette form gives the question a body: are we guiding our own movements, or are memory, time, and other unseen forces guiding us? The answer is left open.
DETAILS
- Materials
- Hand-felted wool fiber, wooden puppet structure, cotton textile details, handmade marionette mechanism
- Dimensions
- Approx. 90 cm tall
- Edition
- Unique work · 1 of 1
- Year
- 2026
- Artist
- Yujing Zhang
FROM THE ARTIST
Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream unsettles the boundary between self and world. Through the marionette form, this soft sculpture asks whether we direct our movements or move within forces we cannot see.
Care
This is a collectible artwork, not a toy. Keep away from water, humidity, direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive movement of the puppet mechanism. The marionette strings and handmade wool surface should be handled gently. For dust removal, use a soft brush or cool air.
Shipping
Ships from China in reinforced protective packaging for its size and marionette structure. Dispatch preparation takes 10–20 business days. Standard shipping is free within the United States; standard shipping to other available international destinations is $8. Estimated transit is 8–15 business days after dispatch. Buyers are responsible for applicable customs duties, import taxes, or local fees.
Returns
Due to the delicate handmade nature and one-of-one status of this artwork, change-of-mind returns are generally not accepted. This does not affect any rights you may have for damaged, defective, or incorrectly described goods.
Certificate of Authenticity
Signed Certificate of Authenticity included. Certificate details: Title: Zhuang Sheng - The Butterfly Dreamer; Artist: Yujing Zhang; Year: 2026; Materials: Hand-felted wool fiber, wooden puppet structure, cotton textile details, handmade marionette mechanism; Dimensions: Approx. 90 cm tall; Edition: Unique work / 1 of 1; Artist signature included.