Zhang Yuxi was born in China, 1980 & graduated from Harbin University majoring in sculpture. The artist's work is easily recognizable by the tri-eyed little yellow boy, a main character he created in most of his work which represents hope & positivity. The tri-eye character represents the three different stages of life.
HAIKU Art Review: Zhang Yuxi
Little yellow man
Blinded by colorful past
All seeing 3rd eye?
“The little boy reflects the experiences of those born during the 1980’s. As I was born in this time period, I know it well & portray this with childhood innocence.”
"Children are easier to relate to, our childhood experiences also help us to weather whatever obstacles are in our path. Yes, to some extent, the tri-eyed boy is me, like my alter ego.”
A bowl of rice, a staple & icon of Asian society & symbolic of livelihood, is stood on the peak like a Holy Grail.
The ‘Peter Pan’ analogy of not wanting to grow-up is true to Zhang’s persona as a Gen-Y product. He was born in Harbin in the north-eastern China’s Heilongjiang province in 1981. He is now based in Hangzhou in the Zhejiang province.
He confides that those of his generation are under greater pressure to excel amongst more fierce competition with China opening up to the world in an accelerated post-Deng Xiao-ping reformation. There are also drawbacks such as the ‘One-Child Policy’, higher unemployment rate of graduates & sky-rocketing housing prices. Thus, the adoption of pop colors to mask the less savory aspects of life, as well as to add irony & humor.
“Bright & lively colors are positive energy which I want to convey. Hardships & difficulties are overshadowed & forgotten in all the colors. I want to paint a clean blue sky & offer people hope.”
The celestial dragon is also a favorite device which apart from being something divine also represent power & prosperity.
Zhang was encouraged to paint by his father when he was only four.
“I still hold steadfast to his advice, that every stroke must be created with blood & sweat, that it must reflect the artist’s deep mind & thoughts,”
Zhang Yuxi (张玉玺) - (19 Images)
