Artist: He Xiangyu
Title: Untitled (yellow abstract)
Year: 2018
Medium: Giclee print
Dimensions: tbc
Accession Number: US2019-03
Acquisition info:
Untitled (Yellow Abstract) is part of He Xiangyu’s ongoing Lemon Project, which considers the use, perception and representation of yellow and lemon across 24 countries, including China, Nigeria, New Zealand, Japan and the UK. Through the project, he shows that the etymology of ‘yellow’ and ‘lemon’ are entwined historically across cultures, as well as having symbolism that transcends borders of language, culture and religion. Through a series of yellow abstract paintings and prints, Xiangyu explores how the colour has been used as a symbol of peace, violence, life, and death. Specific examples of use from both East and West include political weapons, border indicators, freedom, liberation, and funeral motifs. For example – yellow was used in the Umbrella and Sunflower movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as having widespread used for representing liberal parties in Europe and South America.
He Xiangyu’s experimental practice can be seen as both a material testing ground and conceptual laboratory that investigates diverse personal, social and political themes. Part of a generation of Chinese artists who grew up during a period of rapid urbanisation he has said that “I’m seeking to adjust and guide people’s perception through the material changes within the object”, using a range of media to reflect on philosophical ideas such as the increasing materialism and obsolescence of our society as well as the effects of the institutionalisation and commercialisation of contemporary art. (Biography: Courtesy White Cube).
Xiangyu studied at Shenyang Normal University in 2008. He has held numerous international group and solo shows, and is represented by White Cube gallery. This print was acquired after Xiangyu’s solo show at CFCCA in 2019.