YUQI LIU
Book Arts InstallationPrintmaking
About
My profound connection with nature blossomed from a childhood moment shared with my mother, where we sat at home, engrossed in a nature documentary. Growing up in
Hefei, a city distant from ancient forests, I found myself captivated by the stunning landscapes and creatures unfurled across the screen, igniting within me a lasting love
affair with our planet. This relationship has profoundly influenced both my life and art.
As a mixed media artist deeply rooted in the philosophies of Naturphilosophie and Environmental Science, my work transcends conventional boundaries. My interdisciplinary approach marries traditional printmaking techniques with diversified media, creating a unique fusion that reflects the multifaceted beauty of the natural world. This journey into art began in college, where I discovered my passion for printmaking. It was there that I became enamored with the way different textures emerged under my hands, shaped by the pressure I applied and the characteristics of the materials I used. This process is mesmerizing; the image evolves with each print, revealing new facets of my artistic vision. My exploration is not confined to paper; I strive to print on any surface that can hold ink, pushing the boundaries of traditional printmaking.
My current artistic endeavors are a testament to this exploratory spirit. I am experimenting with printing on paper made from mushrooms, documenting this journey through photography and culminating in the creation of handcrafted books. This process is a dance with nature itself. I venture into the wild, gathering mushrooms that will soon become the raw materials for my paper. In this transformative ritual, the mushroom's initial form disintegrates, only to have its fibers intertwine and reconstitute into a new existence. Through this medium, I aim to capture the essence of nature's perpetual motion—its cycles of growth, decay, and rejuvenation—imbuing my art with the dynamism and vitality inherent in the natural world.
At the core of my work lies a critical dialogue about the intricate relationship between humanity and nature. In the modern world, there is a tendency to see through a human-centric lens, categorizing aspects of nature based on their utility to us. However, this perspective overlooks the intrinsic value of nature and its ecosystems. Nature is not merely a resource to be exploited; it is a vibrant, active entity, deeply intertwined with our existence. The “ecology of selves”, as referred to by the anthropologist, Eduardo Kohn, forms the interconnectedness of various beings in the forest and how they collectively form a kind of ecosystem of meaning-making, strikes a chord. We, too, are no isolated beings. The health of our environment and our well-being are inextricably
linked, underscoring the profound connection between individuals and the ecosystems they inhabit. To me, each species on Earth holds an inherent value that transcends the
confines of our economic structures.
In essence, my art is a celebration of this interconnectedness. Through my work, I aspire to awaken a collective consciousness, inspiring a shift toward a more sustainable and empathetic relationship with the world around us.