- 1-2-1 tutorial with "Geraint Evans"
On November 15, 2024, I engaged in a 1-2-1 tutorial with course leader "Geraint Evans" concerning my research, which proved to be immensely beneficial. During our session, we delved into my initial conceptual framework and ideas regarding my artistic trajectory. I introduced my approach to the logic of narrative and images, leading to an intense discussion and critical reflection on the implications of the images I had chosen for my work.
In my perspective, within the context of the post-screen era, highly popular and recognizable elements such as emojis, video games, meme culture, and cinematic snippets are imperative for representation on canvas. These elements significantly expand the visual unfamiliarity and stimulation of the artwork. However, "Geraint Evans" cautioned that careful consideration must be given to the underlying meanings of these images during selection, questioning whether their use might result in a superficial outcome.Subsequently, "Evans" addressed the mediums I employ, predominantly acrylic paint and an airbrush. He advised that I should reflect on whether the final presentation ought to possess a greater degree of painterliness. He noted that if some images serve merely as direct reproductions, they risk resembling screen prints rather than paintings. In this regard, he recommended "Isabelle Cook's" book titled For the Love of Paintings, which explores the nuanced relationship between airbrushing techniques and the essence of painting.The tutorial with "Geraint Evans" was highly enlightening, prompting me to undertake critical revisions in my subsequent explorations of painterliness and image selection in my work.
- Mark Fairnington Lecture
On January 15, 2025, I attended a lecture by Prof. "Mark Fairnington," a painter whose work has been extensively exhibited in museums and galleries across America and Europe. His research utilizes painting to maintain a visual inquiry into the varied collections and histories of museums. During the lecture, he discussed his research into insects and art, quoting from a book titled The Inner Life of Insects: "This insect does not belong to our world. It brings customs, morale, and psychological aspects that seem alien to our global sphere. Some might say it comes from another planet, more terrifying, more vibrant, more indifferent, more brutal, with a profound tranquility deeply inspired by these creatures." He posited that, in a certain sense, insects—the compression of energy and activity—are our most mysterious and powerful competitors, albeit never widely acknowledged as such. Based on this reflection, he incorporates insects by reversing and fixing them onto the back of his works. I was astounded by his highly detailed and subtle contemplation of the world; this observational perspective is quite unconventional and has inspired me to consider many events from multiple angles. "Mark Fairnington" mentioned various unique perspectives he applies when examining museums, galleries, or private collections, showing an interest in the traceable boundary between observing facts and speculating fiction. He referenced the collection of the Mattress Museum Storage, which, from the outside, looks like an unremarkable 1960s parliamentary office, but upon entering, it is filled with the most incredible images. He discussed post-colonial methods of collecting and displaying within contextualized taxonomical studies, serving as typical symbols of past political and cultural hegemony. Some images have been severely compromised, hollowed out and refilled with the skin of dead bodies, representing the fantasy of cognitive expectation correction and the supreme status of white males in the movement principles of colonial domination over nature, as well as the conquest of time and death through the preservation of life and death's progeny. He argues that in the natural sciences, these fictional narratives woven around existing or observed entities are significant, representing the evolving relationship with the natural world. Though they might be described as footnotes in the history of science, the power of these narratives persists.
Photograph from the Internet
Mattress Factory（2024）Pittsburgh.Available at:https://mattress.org/exhibition/6866/(Accessed: 27 Jan 2025).
- MA fineart group presentation
On January 14, 2025, I conducted a presentation and group discussion on my personal work and website with my sculpture tutor "Emily Woolley" and 7 classmates from various disciplines, including students from drawing, sculpture, computer art, and printmaking. During the approximately 7-minute individual presentation and subsequent discussion, I was exposed to the works and creative concepts of students from different fields. "Zihan Tang," a classmate from the MA in Sculpture, left a profound impression on me. She reimagined her sculptural pieces from the perspectives of space, ambiance, and the colors of light, creating an oppressive, slightly eerie atmosphere with sculptures that conveyed a sense of female fragility and instability. Her work showcased the beautiful yet fragile, diverse, and unstable self-gender and identity shaped by societal and familial influences. I offered critical reflections on her work, suggesting that her use of red as the primary color, declared as a color of unease, might be too one-sided. Perhaps she views color from a personal perspective; I believe a more diverse, public viewpoint should be considered in her work's analysis.
Following this, I described my website and practice, emphasizing a key concept in my work: organic hyper-narrative, where the narrative versions change based on the viewer's personal visual experience. Taking this opportunity, I asked for feedback from classmates from different disciplines regarding the narrative of my work. Including "Emily," they provided story versions based on their visual experiences. "Emily" interpreted an image as an ancient adventurer about to swing his sword at a cat, with the cat's owner appearing very sorrowful. Meanwhile, the younger classmates saw it as the game character Link on a mission, with the accompanying meme expressing dissatisfaction with the situation. Engaging in dialogue with individuals from different fields and age groups has given me a more multifaceted perspective on my own work, enriching my practice and understanding.