Miami, FL – January 24, 2015 – With ART LEXÏNG opening of its new location in Miami, it only seemed fitting to inaugurate the new space with the second U.S. solo exhibition of celebrated Chinese artist Ye Hongxing “The Dazzling World of Ye Hongxing.” Following the overwhelming response to her collaborations with luxury shoe designer, Christian Louboutin and her residency program at the prestigious Lux Art Institute in Encinitas, California this past fall, Beijing-based artist Ye Hongxing’s profile and reputation continues to soar as one of China’s most relevant and successful contemporary artists.

Hongxing’s new artworks are jewel-strewn images comprised of stickers, diamante, glass beads and stones. Vivid scenes are made from layers of tiny colorful embellishments. From a distance, the works appear as hyper real compositions of nature, complete with animals and creatures in a colorful wonderland. On closer inspection, the large scenes are assembled from thousands of stickers. Mass produced materials collected from retail and haberdashery outfits depict clashing images of nature, buddhas, skulls, shoes and helicopters. Hongxing’s wild clash of east versus west motifs reveals a visual reading of a modern China. Caught in the frenzy the country’s economic and technological progress, her pieces aim to lend a narrative on the dizzying impact on itspeople, highlighting the fusion of modern technology and secularism with the more traditional and spiritual aspects of Chinese culture. “The Dazzling World of Ye Hongxing” will be on display at ART LEXÏNG now through March 10, 2015.

We were fortunate enough to catch up with the lady of the hour and find out a little bit more about the world of Ye Hongxing.

Ye Hongxing

My hope is that people can go into my works and experience it through their own life journeys.

Ye Hongxing

Ye Hongxing & Maria Gomez

WRE: Tell us a about this exhibition at ART LEXÏNG?

YH: The exhibition at ART LEXÏNG’s new gallery space brought together different series of works that I have created during the past few years. It is a presentation of different themes and different compositions in which I have explored throughout my creating process. This is my second solo exhibition in Miami after the Christian Louboutin collaboration in Design District during Art Basel Miami Beach 2012. A lot of people came for the opening night and I was impressed by the enthusiasm and appreciation for arts in Miami.

WRE: Where did you draw your inspiration from to create “The Dazzling World of Ye Hongxing” exhibition? 

YH: Most of the works for this exhibition are inspired by traditional patterns from China, Japan Ukiyo-e, religious symbols, classic art, and Western pop elements.

 

WRE: Clashing images of nature, buddhas, skulls, shoes, cars, animals, helicopters and more are seen throughout this exhibition, tell us about the various scenes you have created? What do they represent?

YH: These images are the common symbols of everyday life. Each one resembles a still moment of our thought process. It’s a melting pot of things that can be traditional, contemporary, religious or pop. It’s a a portrayal of the current fast changing China.

WRE: What’s your favorite piece from the exhibition and why?

YH: In this exhibition, my favorite piece is Kaleidoscope NO.6 (150x200cm). I personally prefer the works in large size because then you feel enveloped in the dazzling world.

WRE: How has your Chinese culture influenced your art?

YH: Apart from a short residency program in Lux Art Institute in California last fall, I have spent my entire life in China. My way of thinking, life experience, and the way I create are all closely related to this background. So I would say the impact of Chinese culture on my art is subtle and important.

WRE: Some of these intricate scenes are assembled with stickers, how did you come up with this method?

YH: My ideas are mostly based on the questions I ponder at a certain stage, such as the environment and problems with living conditions, the interactions between fashion and contemporary art, etc. I would use various symbols to construct an uncertain, psychedelic, multifaceted experience in my works. My work is also open ended and I hope that people can go into my works and experience it with their own life journeys.

WRE: When are you at your most creative?

YH: When traveling, in an unfamiliar environment, or in a complex urban street.

WRE: You work in all kinds of materials, do you have a favorite?

YH: I like different materials in different stages. Currently, my favorite materials are stickers.

WRE: What message are you trying to communicate with your art?

YH: I would like to convey my reflections on the modern society as a whole.

WRE: What was the best piece of design advice you ever received?

YH: Do not abide with the conventions; what matters is what you have done, not what you can do.

WRE: What can we expect from you in the future in regards to your work?

YH: I am currently experimenting on a new way to combine flat surfaces with three dimensional parts.

WRE: What is the one thing no one knows about Ye Hongxing yet?

YH: That I would like to move to Miami soon!

Lexïng Zhang, Sophie Mavroleon, & Ye Hongxing

Ye has pioneered this new medium stickers and took it to another level with her psychedelic compositions. Who doesn’t want to live with thousands of Hello Kitties and smiley faces?

Lexïng Zhang, Gallery Director

Maria Gomez, Ye Hongxing, & Lexïng Zhang

Tony Cho, Aiden Pope, Ye Hongxing, & Lexïng Zhang

Ashley Turchin & Lexïng Zhang

Lexïng Zhang & Ashley Turchin

Alison Schnurle, Anya Freeman, Lynn Ernest, & Chelsea Hlavach

Scott Alan & Maria Gomez

Monica Madotto & Noelia Madiedo

Lexïng Zhang

Tim Powers, Anya Freeman, & Lynn Ernest

Soledad Lowe, Lexïng Zhang, Angie Ferrer Domecq, & Eric Allred

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