Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuanjie Chen. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Yuanjie Chen (b. 1999. Fuzhou) is a multidisciplinary artist from China based in New York City. Yuanjie’s works are mainly paintings and installations that explore the definition of warmth and love and share his emotional journey, which transited from a deep discussion of his original family’s problems and Chinese culture in his art practice in various materials. The shift comes from his incessant self-introspection. It gives him insight into how symbolism conveys his concept to his audience and the connection between red color and emotion. He finished his BFA Fine Arts program at Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts. He worked in SNAP, a non-profit art organization in Shanghai, from 2021-2022.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The art career has always been challenging for every artist. As a Chinese artist taking an MFA program in the U.S., the biggest struggle is that the surroundings of this journey have considerably changed, such as lifestyle, art vibe, culture, language, etc. When I was here in my first year, I forced myself to adapt to all aspects of this totally new environment. It is tough for a newcomer to be in a new lifestyle, even a new professional vibe. However, with the constant adaption of everything, it happens to be a hard-won opportunity to give me more perspective to think about my life and art. When I made friends with new people, saw new scenes, and heard new ideas, I became aware that this world could have more possibilities. Although leaving my comfort zone is hard and lonely, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop my art career.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My art primarily features a wide range of red colors and totems of a flower, which are about a celebration and ode of love. Crimson Red is happening initially during my art. I want to express the sense of bloodline and sacrifice with it because crimson is a specific one between the blood-like red and candle red. I keep introspecting and meditating on the traumatic experience of my family origin, suspicion of self-consciousness, and nostalgia for Chinese Culture. My work set out to explore the emotional luxury of love, and I need it to heal the trauma. Hence, the crimson red I work with is a starting point that I let be bright or dark to make some color changes to express the process of the trip of my emotion. I define the specific meaning of love as a healing existence. In this way, I investigate the concept of warm love, which is always absent in my life. It is usually missing in the lives of contemporary beings. In the macroscopic view of the world, hustled rhythm divests people’s sincerity. Love is a supreme emotion that is based on sincerity. It is becoming a sparse luxury increasingly. However, love could make people better. Furthermore, my works of art share my emotional journey of how I find, define, and desire more love in various artistic forms with my audiences.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up based on my interests. But some parts are grown up by my personality. I think the answer is both. An anecdote is that a pencil sketch from my classmate attracted me when I was ten years old. It had a spiritual and visual impact on a kid to know people could do an authentic picture with a pencil. Then I began to do it. I learned a ten-year technique to draw and paint something real. And I passed the art exam for college. As far as the story goes, all growth is based on my interests. My personality allows me to discover the real thing I want to pursue in the following part. After the painstaking painting, drawing, and modeling exercises, I was enrolled in an art school. However, after focusing on oil painting for two years, I began to doubt the meaning of my art. Is it endless exercise? Is it all about technique? I kept introspecting, and the questions arose: why do I separate my art and life? Since then, I have gradually regarded my art as a way of thinking and a container of my emotions and philosophy. This significant shift is based on my personality, which is introspective.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yuanjieyj.com
- Instagram: yuanjie_yj
- Youtube: @yuanjieyjART
