Exploring the Essence of Nature Through the Power of Photography
Initiated and organized by The Bridge Arts Foundation, the 'Beyond Borders' Global Young Artist Open-Call Exhibition is currently being held at The Scholart Selection Art Space in San Gabriel, California, and will run until December 31, 2023.
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 New York-based Chinese artist Yunqian Lin (Q).
—— Q&A ——
Tia Xu: Could you please share your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?
Yunqian Lin: I came from Guangxi, China, currently resides and works in New York. I earned My MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. My passion for art is deeply rooted in my love for photography. Since my earliest memories, capturing images has served as a means of preserving the fleeting moments of my life. My artistic pursuits involve a deep exploration of temporal fluctuations. My inclination towards landscapes and the Earth’s innate characteristics is similarly driven by a fascination with the interplay between control and spontaneity, particularly within the dynamic between human engagement and the natural world.
Tia: What does "Beyond Borders" mean to you, and how does your work in this exhibition either reflect or challenge this concept?
Yunqian: I believe "beyond borders" symbolizes an exploration of the uncharted, where uncertainty and boundless possibilities abound. This concept is closely intertwined with my creative process. Photography initially served as my primary mode of expression, from which I subsequently drew inspiration to delve into a diverse array of mediums, such as video and installation art. Through these mediums, I aim to convey my interpretation of the natural life cycle. In my work, photography has transcended its original boundaries and evolved into an additional conduit for artistic expression.
Tia: Can you tell us the story behind a specific artwork from the exhibition?
Yunqian: The inspiration for this series originated in the aftermath of the 2017 hurricanes. I returned to my familiar hiking routes from the past and encountered the aftermath of downed trees and flooded roads. It was chaotic and reminded me of nature's unpredictability and its transformative force. Over time, I witnessed new life emerging from the ruins, which made me appreciate the creativity of nature and the influence of time.
In my captivating "Entropy" series, I harness the power of photography to create a visual archive extracted from the natural world. As a co-creator, I find that the dynamic world around me helps weave the strands of chance together, transforming unpredictability into artistic expressions.
3XJ7+M2 Savannah, 3. © Courtesy of Artist
3XJ7+M2 Savannah, 3, 7days. © Courtesy of Artist
The original location of creation and scattered wood on the ground. © Courtesy of Artist
Tia: How does your cultural background influence your art?
Yunqian: I believe that Chinese Taoist philosophy has subtly influenced my perspective. I hold the belief that everything possesses a spirit. In my creative process, I have chosen water as a central natural element because it embodies power, creation, and the passage of time. In the Chinese traditional philosophical teachings, Confucius, while standing by a stream, uttered, "It passes on just like this, not ceasing day or night!" This quote beautifully captures the continuous and unyielding flow of water, much like the relentless march of time.
Tia: What materials and techniques do you prefer to use in your art, and could you explain your choices?
Yunqian: To me, photography extends beyond simple documentation of reality in motion; it becomes a pathway to delve into the very essence of existence itself. It serves as a tool for me to contemplate the fundamental nature of reality, encouraging exploration and introspection. My firm belief in the unique synergy between photographic materials, light, and substance drives my innovative approach to authentically capture fleeting moments.
Tia: Can you describe a challenging moment or obstacle you've encountered during your artistic journey and how you successfully overcame it?
Yunqian: My initial intention in creating this work wasn't directly connected to environmental pollution. However, the pieces often convey a sense of critique towards pollution, which initially concerned me. But a friend's words inspired me; they mentioned that not everyone can share my deep love for nature, yet they intuitively sense the criticism of environmental pollution in my work, which is, in fact, a positive outcome. It would be wonderful if my work could raise environmental awareness, prompting people to start protecting the nature I hold dear. This realization helped me release any inner reservations I had.
Ocean. © Courtesy of Artist
Yunqian Lin (Q) with the large format camera. © Courtesy of Artist
ABOUT OPEN CALL EXHIBITION PROGRAM
Bridge Arts Foundation's "Beyond Borders" Open Call Exhibition Installation View, Photo: © The Scholart Selection / Luna Hao
Bridge Arts Foundation's Open Call Exhibition Program is designed to provide support for early-career artists. For its inaugural edition, the "Beyond Borders" Open Call Exhibition has thoughtfully selected 18 talented artists from a pool of approximately 350 submissions, employing a selection process that involves art professionals. "Beyond Borders" opens from October 14th to December 31st, 2023.
ABOUT ARTIST
Yunqian Lin (Q)
Yunqian Lin (Q) , born in 1989 in Guangxi, China, currently resides and works in New York. In 2019, she earned her MFA from The Savannah College of Art and Design. Lin’s artistic pursuits involve a deep exploration of temporal fluctuations. Her inclination towards landscapes and the Earth’s innate characteristics is similarly driven by a fascination with the interplay between control and spontaneity, particularly within the dynamic between human engagement and the natural world. Her artistic expression finds its genesis in photography, which she uses as a foundation to explore diverse mediums, including video works and installations, utilizing these mediums to accentuate her fascination with nature and the cyclical patterns of destruction and regeneration.
Lin’s work has been recognized as Juror Selection by the New York Center for Photographic Art. Additionally, her inventive work has been prominently featured in various media.