Today we’d like to introduce you to Yu-Ching Wang.
Hi Yu-Ching, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a multidisciplinary artist passionate about creating unexpected, captivating encounters through spatial installations, video, performative actions, and photography. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1996, I call New York City my creative home. My artistic journey began with a BFA focused on Mixed Media from the Taipei National University of the Arts. I honed my art with an MFA in Plastic Arts from the Tainan National University of the Arts in Taiwan. Seeking to further my artistic horizons, I boldly decided to move to the vibrant artistic landscape of New York City, where I completed my artistic evolution with a Master’s degree in Fine Arts at Pratt Institute in 2022. I have received international recognition and opportunities throughout my artistic journey. I had the privilege of hosting my solo exhibitions at ART TAIPEI 2023, the prestigious Taipei International Contemporary Art Fair, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei in 2022. I was honored to have my performance project, the <Breathing In New York> series, selected for inclusion in the Art in Odd Places 2022.
STORY> Performance festival in New York. It was a remarkable opportunity that allowed me to connect with a diverse and appreciative audience. My video work has been featured in art festivals such as
CURRENTS 2023- Art and Technology Festival> in New Mexico, Canvas International Art Fair 2023> in Venice, and Vizantrop Festival> in Beograd underline my diverse artistic portfolio. My artistic journey has taken me globally, with exhibitions in the United States, Taiwan, Italy, France, South Korea, and Serbia. These international experiences have enriched my artistic perspective, allowing me to create work that resonates with a global audience.
Would it have been a smooth road? If not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
Upon arriving in New York City, I faced many challenges that tested my mettle, pushing me to adapt and evolve in unexpected ways. Navigating the unfamiliar cultural nuances and wrestling with language barriers was a daily challenge. Yet, it was the subtler, more formidable challenges, including encounters with racism, that truly put my spirit to the test. Despite these difficulties, I persevered and made my mark in art. I sought inspiration in the city’s melting pot of cultures, channeling my experiences and emotions into my artwork.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My artwork begins with a spontaneous and coincidental bumping into. Art happens in my life serendipitously. I enjoy and welcome these surprises. ; for example, the unexpected responses from the unknown people downstairs in my video work <Neighbors>. My recent works focus on exploring the social and cultural elements in the environment around me through the lens of my identity as a foreigner. Like an observer, I observe the social environment objectively. My work, however, is the result of subjective thinking and inquiry. I collect information and clues from the outside world; in my installation work <Souvenirs>, including photos and books, I collected abandoned objects in the parks and associated them with my thoughts, personal experience, and cultural background. I concentrate on the subtle changes and details in my daily life. The conceptual underpinning of my site-specific installation <Grasses> is the result of initial observation, transformed by my idea that city plants lack freedom because of human interference. By intervening in specific situations by calling attention, I enjoy creating unusual and humorous scenes or situations that present hidden ironic or political meanings. The moment when people witness or encounter my works and become aware of unexpected connections and realities provoked by my projects is what I hope. In <Breathing in New York>, I imagined a connection between three seemingly unrelated but concurrent events:
- The mask mandate resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19
- The plastic bag ban
- My personal experience of race in New York City
I did a seemingly ridiculous and sad action of covering my head with a plastic bag with a colorful Key Food label to hide my identity, which, at the same time, could be seen as protection against COVID-19.
Are any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Book: The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
Contact Info:
- Website: wangyuching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wangyuching.art/
Image Credits
Breathing In New York, September 2022 #1_Photo Credit: Winnie Su Breathing In New York, September 2022 #9_Photo Credit: Winnie Su
