Greeting Cards Reimagined: Empowering the Feminine
Initiated and organized by The Bridge Arts Foundation, the 'SOLILOQUY' Open Call Exhibition is currently being held at The Scholart Selection Gallery in San Gabriel, California, and will run until August 17th, 2024.
Bridge Arts Foundation's Art Director, Tia Xu, engaged in a conversation about the exhibition and art with several artists participating in this exhibition. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with artist Lanyi Gao.
—— Q&A ——
Photo courtesy of artist.
Tia Xu: Could you please share your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?
Lanyi Gao: Growing up in a post-90s East Asian household, the interplay of cultural identity and personal experience has significantly shaped my artistic journey. I’ve come to understand that shared experiences often forge deep connections, which has inspired me to use art as a means to explore and articulate the unique challenges and perspectives of womanhood within my cultural context. The dialogue between my artwork and its audience often sparks inspiration, encouragement, and empathy, driving me to pursue an artistic career that fosters these meaningful connections.
Tia Xu: What does “SOLILOQUY” mean to you, and how does your artwork explore this theme? Can you tell us the story behind your artwork from the exhibition?
Lanyi Gao, Lyrical Nightmare, 2023, Oil on canvas, 12 x 12 x 2 in, Photo courtesy of artist.
Lanyi Gao: To me, “Soliloquy” represents an introspective dialogue—a space where internal truths, vulnerabilities, and desires are quietly examined. The piece I’m showcasing in this exhibition, Lyrical Nightmare from the Secret Garden series, deeply engages with this theme.
In my work, soliloquy manifests through surreal forms and intimate color palettes within abstract landscapes, inviting viewers into a deeply personal narrative that reflects my ongoing exploration of female identity and the fluidity of self. It transforms private reflections into shared experiences, encouraging the audience to engage in their own dialogues with the piece, bridging the gap between the personal and the universal.
Tia Xu: What materials and techniques do you prefer to use in your art, and could you explain your choices?
Lanyi Gao: I primarily work with mixed media, using materials such as oil paint, silk screen printing, and sometimes incorporating fabric and found objects. These materials allow me to create layers of texture and complexity within my pieces.
I’m particularly drawn to oil paint because its slow drying time allows me to patiently build up the dreamy, blurred effects that I aim for in my work. The silky texture of oil paint also makes the process meditative for me.
Silk screen printing is another technique I frequently use, especially in the Greeting Cards series, because it produces sharp, clean lines that contrast beautifully with the fluidity of oil paint. This combination of precision and spontaneity adds depth and interest to the work.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Tia Xu: Are there any artists or art movements that have had a significant influence on your work? If so, why?
Lanyi Gao: Sophie Calle, the French conceptual artist, has profoundly influenced my artistic journey, even though our styles may seem different on the surface. Her unique ability to blend personal narratives with broader universal themes, especially through text and imagery, has deeply resonated with me.
One of her projects, “Take Care of Yourself,” where she asked 107 women to interpret a breakup email she received, particularly struck me. The way she transformed personal pain into a collective exploration of female solidarity and interpretation inspired me to be more courageous in sharing my own stories through my work.
Calle’s approach to turning her private life into public art has encouraged me to invite viewers to engage with both the intimate and universal aspects of my experiences.
Tia Xu: Are there any other series that you are currently working on? Would you mind sharing them with us?
Photo courtesy of artist.
Lanyi Gao: I’m currently focused on continuing my Greeting Cards series, which I began in 2021 and have been developing ever since. In this series, I reimagine My Melody, a 1990s icon from the Japanese company Sanrio, placing her in new, thought-provoking contexts. The series engages in playful yet sharp dialogues, using witty, card-like phrases that are silk-screened in bold, striking fonts onto the oil-painted canvas.
This series goes beyond surface-level imagery to explore and reveal the complex realities women face as they navigate societal expectations. By using low-saturation, dreamy color palettes, I create an environment where the juxtaposition of softness and sharp text highlights these themes.
Through this work, I aim to transform the often challenging and unjust experiences of women into a form of empowerment. The humor embedded in these pieces critiques societal norms while fostering a sense of community and support among women. This ongoing project reflects my artistic journey as I continue to explore the multi-faceted nature of female identity and the ways in which art can be a vehicle for both critique and solidarity.
The Bridge Arts Foundation's "SOLILOQUY" Open Call Exhibition Installation View, Photo: ©The Bridge Arts Foundation / Luna Hao
ABOUT OPEN CALL EXHIBITION PROGRAM
The Bridge Arts Foundation's "SOLILOQUY" Open Call Exhibition Installation View, Photo: ©The Bridge Arts Foundation / Luna Hao
Bridge Arts Foundation's Open Call Exhibition Program is designed to provide support for early-career artists. The "SOLILOQUY" Open Call Exhibition has thoughtfully selected 18 talented artists from over 500 submissions, employing a selection process that involves art professionals. "SOLILOQUY" opens from July 13th to August 17th, 2024.
ABOUT ARTIST
Lanyi Gao
Lives and Works in New York
Gao Lanyi is a New York-based conceptual visual artist. Lanyi received her Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Engaging with feminism and reflecting on her experience as a Chinese female artist, Gao strives to create constructive dialogues about women's experiences from an intimate perspective. Her works explore women’s roles in socio-political events throughout history and intervene with the hegemonic status quo of masculinity. Her work has been exhibited on a variety of emerging platforms, most recently at LATITUDE Gallery, Chambers Fine Art, Snow Gallery, and Bill Brady Gallery in New York.