Liu Wei (artist) - Artistic Process

Artistic Process

At Liu Wei’s studio in Beijing, little of the artwork is performed by the artist. In 2006, Liu began hiring nearby villagers to assist with the artworks and the number of workers in his studio has continued multiplying. All of his artworks are now produced by teams of assistants and fabricators. Even Liu’s representational paintings are digitally generated by the artist and then transferred to a canvas, where they are filled in by studio workers.

However, despite Liu Wei’s studio work, he has chosen to stop short of mechanizing his artwork, apparently preferring the slight imperfections that come from human hands. He instructs his assistants step by step, and as the assistant performs the instruction, Liu Wei watches and determines the next instruction accordingly; allowing for some improvisation to enter into the work. In sculpture, Liu Wei asserts even less control, which are put together in sections by workers who follow short verbal instructions.

His artworks and installations are produced through a process of tinkering as workers add and manipulate the forms in a theatrical experience. He often revisits sculptures and installations, making significant alterations later on. His artworks are constantly in flux, morphing and changing, like any other form of matter.