Lin Yan's 'Remaking' Exhibition at China Square Gallery Explores American Politics Through Chinese Materials
Lin Yan's exhibition titled 'Remaking' at China Square Gallery draws inspiration from a speech by Barack Obama in 2008, utilizing traditional Chinese materials to reflect on the political situation in America. As a third-generation Chinese artist, she has studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Bloomsburg University, and L'Ecole national superieur des Beaux-Arts. Although she lives in the U.S., the high costs of studio space in New York prompt her to frequently return to China. Her artwork 'This Nation' (2008) showcases a cast American flag with white and black stripes, replacing the stars with paper. The 'Monument' series, featuring 'Monument #6' and '#8' from 2008, consists of tactile reliefs resembling bricks, while 'Under Cloud Cover' (2008) employs black ink on studs to represent clouds and walls.
Key facts
- Lin Yan is a third-generation Chinese female artist who studied abroad.
- She graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and L'Ecole national superieur des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
- Lin resides in the U.S. but works in China due to high New York studio rental costs.
- The exhibition 'Remaking' is inspired by a 2008 Barack Obama speech.
- Works use traditional Chinese materials: paper, ink, wax, and wood.
- 'This Nation' (2008) is a cast American flag with brick-like stripes and paper stars, referencing Jasper Johns.
- The 'Monument' series includes tactile reliefs made from Chinese paper mimicking bricks.
- Lin's artist statement emphasizes shapes derived from real objects rendered abstract.
Entities
Artists
- Lin Yan
- Jasper Johns
- Barack Obama
Institutions
- China Square Gallery
- Central Academy of Fine Arts
- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
- L'Ecole national superieur des Beaux-Arts
- artcritical
Locations
- Beijing
- China
- New York
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Pennsylvania