Chair, Mass-Produced Clothing and the Unscripted Spirit of Creation
Organized by The Bridge Arts Foundation, the "Urban Pulse" Open Call Exhibition is now on view at The Scholart Selection Gallery in San Gabriel, California, running through February 22, 2025.
As part of the exhibition, The Bridge Arts Foundation’s Art Director, Tia Xu, sat down with several participating artists to discuss their creative process and artistic vision. In this interview, we are delighted to feature a conversation with artist Yang Mai.
—— Q&A ——
Yang Mai, 2025, photo courtesy of the artist.
Tia Xu: Could you please share your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?
Yang Mai: I was born and raised in Guangzhou, China, and I'm an artist with a background in both fashion and fine art. I’m based in Chicago and New York, and have traveled to over 30 countries. My artistic journey spans about a decade and has been inspired by my experiences navigating various societal realities and cultural landscapes. Growing up facing uncertainty and instability, art became my way of making sense of the world, articulating my voice and reflecting who I am.
Tia Xu: What does "Urban Pulse" mean to you, and how does your artwork explore this theme? Can you tell us the story behind your artwork from the exhibition?
Yang Mai: URBAN PULSE shows the emotions, energy and contradictions of modern life, where structure meets chaos. My work deconstructs industrial elements and reimagines them in exaggerated, whimsical forms, renegotiating our perception of functionality and control.
The process of making this artwork was fascinating. I spent a lot of time handling thousands of garments in my studio, opening, folding, sewing and rearranging them over and over. One day, I got so frustrated that I threw a chair at the work. Surprisingly, it landed right on it, and it looked so amazing. I just loved it.
UpRise（站起来）, 2019-20, CUE Art Foundation, New York, 2020, photo courtesy of the artist.
Tia Xu: How does your cultural background influence your art?
Yang Mai: Traditional values, economic shifts, and political history shape how people think and live. The emphasis on collective identity, discipline, and societal transformation has been a significant part of my upbringing. My cultural background pushes me to navigate the balance between individuality and societal expectations, reflecting the tension between control and personal expression.
好！(SAY-SO), exhibition view, Three Shadows Art Centre, Beijing, 2023 (Right); 怀抱 (Hold Me in Your Arms), 2021, Beijing (Left), photo courtesy of the artist.
Tia Xu: What materials and techniques do you prefer to use in your art, and could you explain your choices?
Yang Mai: I use everyday objects, including thousands of dead stock clothing and school uniforms, as my material, many of which I’ve collected from my hometown, Guangzhou, China, the largest hub of the garment industry.They are mass-produced and well-made, giving off a sense of uniformity, obedience, and collective identity. They carry that traditional, disciplined vibe—rigid, uniform, yet full of unspoken stories.
UpRise（站起来）, 2022-23, Ed.19-20, Three Shadows Art Centre, Beijing, 2023; UpRise（站起来）, 2021, Taihe Art Center, Beijing, 2021. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Tia Xu: Can you describe a challenging moment or obstacle you've encountered during your artistic journey and how you successfully overcame it?
Yang Mai: A big challenge in my artistic journey has been navigating how my identity is perceived in different cultural contexts. Moving between Eastern and Western cultures, I've often faced barriers and conflicting expectations that have influenced both my personal experiences and artistic freedom. I just use my art to respond and speak out.
Where's Happiness（幸福在哪里）, 2019-20, CUE Art Foundation, New York, 2020; Shhh!（嘘！）, 2019-20, CUE Art Foundation, New York, 2020. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Tia Xu: Are there any other series that you are currently working on? Would you mind sharing them with us?
Yang Mai: : I’m currently working on a new body of work for my upcoming solo exhibition in Chicago in 2026.
Studio in Beijing, 2023, photo by El País.
Tia Xu: Can you share a particular piece of feedback or a comment from an art critic, art professional, or even the audience that has profoundly impacted you?
Yang Mai: : I spent nine months in Kenya, Africa from 2023 to 2024, where I had a solo exhibition. I collected over 200 Chinese school uniforms from local markets and used them to create a large-scale installation. A group of school children came to visit, they were holding hands, playing, and just having fun. It was a beautiful and joyful experience, full of embrace and shared energy.
怀抱 (Hold Me in Your Arms)-在非洲-Held by Africa, 2024, Nairobi. Photo courtesy of the artist.
ABOUT OPEN CALL EXHIBITION PROGRAM
The Bridge Arts Foundation's "Urban Pulse" Open Call Exhibition Installation View, Photo: ©The Bridge Arts Foundation / Luna Hao
Bridge Arts Foundation's Open Call Exhibition Program is committed to supporting emerging artists by providing them with opportunities to showcase their work. "Urban Pulse" features 16 outstanding artists selected from over 100 submissions through a rigorous jury process involving art professionals. This exhibition runs from January 20th to February 22nd, 2025, at The Scholart Selection Gallery, offering a dynamic exploration of the energy, complexity, and human connections within urban spaces.
ABOUT ARTIST
Yang Mai
Yang Mai is an artist born and raised in Guangzhou, China, and currently based in Chicago and New York. Mai holds a Master’s degree from the School of Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. He was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Award in 2021. Mai was featured in solo exhibitions including 怀抱 (Hold Me in Your Arms): 在非洲 - Held by Africa, Nairobi, Kenya in 2024; 好！（SAY-SO), Three Shadows Art Centre, Beijing, 2023; 怀抱 (Hold Me in Your Arms), National Agriculture Exhib. Center, Beijing, 2021; 如果我能说 (If I May Say), COMMON PLACE, Beijing, 2021-22; Good Morning, China! (早上好，中国!), CUE Art Foundation, New York, 2020, which travels to ChaShaMa, New York, 2021; and Made in China at ChaShaMa, New York, 2017; His work has been presented at A Space Gallery, New York, 2024; Artsy Foundations, New York, 2023; Li Tang Gallery, New York; 201 Art Space, Beijing; Taihe Art Center, Beijing; LATITUDE Gallery, New York; New York Fashion Week, 2018-19; Art Miami Fair, 2018; The 2016 Design Show, Chicago; Sage Studio, Chicago, 2016. His works were mentioned in El País, The New York Times, Artnet, Artforum, Contemporary Art Daily, VOGUE, and more.