Huang Yan (artist) - Artistic Styles and Mediums

Artistic Styles and Mediums

Since his art medium is the human body, some question whether or not the body is the art or the painting on the body. "As the body moves, the painted subject takes another shape or meaning." Huang Yan's creations can also be considered performance art, even though he himself has never performed. In Chinese culture, nudity and the human body is still considered taboo, making his art extremely contemporary.

Even though his style of painting landscapes on the body may seem simple, that's what makes it a powerful statement. Landscapes symbolize intellectual values of the erudite class. Painting this on body parts not only makes it avant-garde, but it is a new way of using traditional Chinese art. It is also a new way of representing the relationship between man and nature, a very Taoist concept.

His art is considered taboo, though his goal is not to be offensive; his art is very symbolic and a way to express his beliefs. Other contemporary artists such as Ai Weiwei, are bitter towards the government and use the "Fuck Off Exhibition" to express their anger and beliefs about society and government. However, some of Huang Yan's most offensive art include photographs of naked women. One of his photographs includes a painted women running across the Great Wall of China. This is a very provocative act in Chinese culture.

Each of his photographs have a black or white, brightly lit background. Up close, one can still notice small details such as peasant workers, small homes, and more. The symbolism in his art is very important, the "deep cultural roots changing with the demands of modernity."

Zhang Zhaohui commented on Huang Yan's art, saying that his art was developed upon Andy Warhol's art. He says that Huang Yan's art does not tell a story, but instead is in a pursuit of values towards traditional Chinese cultures "within contemporary society itself, both Chinese and international." Huang Yan also has a series of work where he draws faces and eyes on sofas and couches.

Another one of his mediums is porcelain. Huang Yan created a series of porcelain portraits of Mao Zedong, but these were stopped by the authorities before they could leave the country to be a part of an exhibition in Paris, France. The Chinese authorities deemed them disrespectful to Mao Zedong.

Huang Yan uses art to reflect and express the Chinese cultural angst of this particular generation. Even though his art contains traditional Chinese art styles, his mediums (mostly the human body) creates a lot of anxiety throughout the culture. Oftentimes, he will have collaborations with his wife, who is also an artist, Zhang Tiemei.