Upclose with Chan Yu
Chongqing-born contemporary artist Chan Yu, best-known for his pop art-influenced paintings, is launching his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong.
HK Magazine: Why do use overlapping images so frequently?
Chan Yu: Because you see things at different angles. Take my series,
“Che Guevara with Treble Meanings.” Che was a revolutionary, but he is also a fashion icon and a commercial icon, depending on the way you see him. I put his different identities together by overlapping images of him, using different colors to represent the different aspects of his identity.
HK: Any reason you chose toys, Che and Coke as your main subjects?
CY: I am one of those adult kids who didn’t want to grow up. These objects are all about my childhood. As a child, my toy planes were what made the greatest impression on me and Coca-Cola was everywhere, too. With Che, I saw his picture many times at a very young age, but when I grew up, I learned more about him and he became a fashion icon for me.
HK: Your works don’t look like paintings. How do you produce them?
CY: My works are more about the subjects I paint, rather than the painting process itself. So normally I start work in the afternoon, thinking about what potential subjects I can paint, which of course have several dimensions and aspects. Then I generate a picture on the computer and fill in the outline I’ve created with acrylic paint. When I am painting, I am really calm, which is different to most artists who are very passionate when they’re working. That’s why people can’t perceive who I am by looking at my paintings.
HK: Why don’t you want people to see who you are through
your paintings?
CY: One reason is my personality. I want to hide myself behind my paintings. Another reason is that I don’t feel really connected to the images I paint.
HK: Not connected? That sounds strange for a painter.
CY: Well, it started when I was studying oil painting in college. I didn’t understand why we were painting random objects, as I couldn’t relate to them. So after that I pushed this feeling to an extreme—I completely took myself out of my paintings. The only thing that represents me is my choice of images.