Cheng-Yen Yu

About

Cheng Yen Yu ( 1998), born in Taiwan, and currently residing in London, UK.

The core theme of my artistic practice is “humanity,” as human actions and thoughts evolve with the times, closely connecting everything related to humans with contemporary issues. I extend the subjective emotional aspects of personal painting and experiences to the objective realms of human and social issues, exploring from three perspectives: human nature, the spirit and divinity of humans, and human sociality.

My painting practice explores the inherent flaws in human nature and their profound impact on communities from the perspectives of Eastern religions, natural laws, community relationships, and a fusion of these elements, guiding viewers to reflect on their own situations. These scenarios cover themes such as impermanence, falsehood, prejudice, aggression, and the fragility of interpersonal relationships.

During my travels in Cappadocia, Turkey, I was inspired by visual symbols, drawing from the socially structured inhabitable rock formations and underground cities to metaphorically represent the various facets of individuals in society and the darker aspects of human nature. Due to war and religious persecution, these primitive rocks and caves were intricately carved by residents of different eras into labyrinthine networks, windows, churches, stables, dining halls, and other human constructions. These traces, born from civilization, symbolize the transformation process from “primitiveness” to gradual “socialization.” Similarly, just as humans at birth are fundamentally no different from primitive animals of Mother Earth, we are gradually endowed with these social characteristics and symbols.

My practice uses a mixture of artificial and architectural materials to paint rocks, such as plaster, clay, concrete, sand, soil, bricks, iron wire, and nails. I reinterpret the concept of “primitive rock transformation” into habitable rock layers, emphasizing the process of individuals being “endowed” and “socialized” within human society. Nails, in large quantities, are a key element of my practice, as they carry contradictory metaphors, including construction, destruction, and population, reflecting humanity’s capacity to both create and destroy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.chengyen/

Website: http://chengyenyu.com