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After publishing his poetry collection titled Injured Apples (2016), the past decade of Li Feng’s oeuvre is marked by two simultaneous and ongoing series of works: Condense the Known (2015-2022) and B Movie (2014-2023).
In the latter, B Movie, we encounter an intimate and sensitive examination of life and phenomena surrounding us, in which he conveys personal feelings and intense emotions by challenging conventional notions—think of the pornographic elements, but also symbolic juxtapositions. Both series are marked by the artist’s innate passion for humanity and his poetic perspective on life. From abstract patterns and a minimal approach in Condense the Known to the vernacular and the bold in B Movie, Li Feng uses the presence of the human image to involve the viewer in these paintings - which are not really about those human images at all. The human presence is almost excluded. This marginalisation of 'us' is a powerful message and is supported by Li Feng’s manipulation of the colour black.
In Li Feng's dying moments and within restricted settings, opposing forces engage in a dangerous and mysterious negotiation. For tempting objects, he uses stern compositions in an attempt to suppress the information that incites desire, delaying the pleasure of recognition and exploring paths of divergence. These images leave the audience confused, fascinated, and restless, sinking into psychological reflection as they watch. As they enter his various patterns, they have no choice but to allow the self to occupy their body and mind again and again.
Condense the Known (2015-2022)
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Humans are inevitably unable to escape the microcosm of everyday life. Regardless of their form, the things that make up the human world are everyday objects. Observing those objects and scenes that depend on human presence, feeling their independent and tranquil existence (these small existences), makes Li Feng believe that when a person's emotions are invested in everyday life itself, then everyday objects possess a certain spiritual energy in their unadorned state, each displaying a myriad of miniature weather phenomena. They seem to have no secrets, yet each has its own privacy.
As a poet constructs ambiguity in meaning with words, Li Feng similarly constructs thought-provoking works encompassing a vast array of symbols—from everyday objects such as a bench, an egg box, or a drum kit, to the use of language in the form of text, an unfolded dice, or the structure of the periodic system. However, when depicted in Li Feng’s enigmatic pictures, these symbols seem to be marked by introspection, losing their prosaic character and entering existential realms. Through this rational and contemplative approach, the Chinese artist discusses notions of uncertainty and absurdity, the tangible and the elusive, or the material and the spiritual.
In Condense the Known, the artist pieces together glimpses and ambiguous cross-sections of reality, reflecting on Li Feng’s evolving perspective, experience, and understanding of the world surrounding us—focusing on everyday objects, entering forbidden territories, and thus finding new metaphysical realities, dissolving the distinction between truth and illusion.
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Limitation is a profound exploration of the concept of boundaries, not just in the physical sense but also in the emotional and psychological realms. Each piece in the series seems to encapsulate a unique emotional state, inviting the viewer into a world where limitations can both confine and liberate. The series transcends mere visual representation, serving as a mirror reflecting the viewer's own experiences and limitations.
The visual elements in Limitation are striking in their ability to evoke complex emotions. The use of acrylics lends a certain fluidity to the artwork, allowing for a rich interplay of colors and textures. The color palette is carefully chosen to resonate with the theme—subdued hues might represent societal constraints, while bursts of vibrant colors could signify moments of liberation or self-discovery. The brushwork varies from meticulous to free-flowing, offering a visual representation of the struggle between constraint and freedom.
Limitation is a journey through the labyrinth of human emotion and experience. Each piece serves as a chapter in a larger narrative that challenges our perceptions of what it means to be limited or free. The series is not merely a feast for the eyes but also a catalyst for introspection. It prompts the viewer to question their own limitations and the boundaries they have either imposed on themselves or have been imposed upon them. The emotional depth and visual complexity make this series a compelling experience that lingers in the mind long after the initial viewing.
Possible Dilemmas (2008-2014)
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For several years now, Chinese artist Li Feng has focused on the digital remnants of our age. Exploring the complex link between our present digital time and violence, Feng has decided to pick up what remains from this relationship in the form of signs and symbols and to turn them into an expression of our contemporary condition — both influenced by progress and restrictions that are sometimes very well hidden among the overbearing visual data. The scale of his works is commensurate with content; digital symbols amass, creating a visual repository of contemporary anxieties exacerbated by the lack of direction and meaning, grasping at our perceptual field on large canvases.
In Possible Dilemmas, Li Feng creates a strong impact of the information age, with a dense array of signifiers and codes filling the images. Due to the need to showcase numerous forms of information within limited space while ensuring clarity, the artist condensed large physical storefronts into tiny logos. This represents the ultimate application of media communication in the context of "urban-commerce-billboard-flat map-consumer expectations." The form of the information battlefield on the artwork involves various small and large "digital" elements negated by red lines or crosses, indicating their inability to enter or proceed to the next stage. In the realm of desire-driven online practices, one must confront and overcome the warning sign of an identity verification – a CAPTCHA!
This is probably the essence of the artist’s profound "digital perplexity." In the artistic creation of Possible Dilemmas, the "identity remnants" of this "digitized subject" – the truth of the flesh, spirit, and identity within the digital realm is expressed, making the viewers nostalgic for the systemic violence of various institutions (economic, cultural, psychological, informational, discursive, etc.) that instrumentalize people and things. Defying categorization, his practice builds on the academic forms of abstract art and introduces vernacular elements to expand his approach and develop new pictorial strategies.
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Square Root is a remarkable fusion of art and science. Inspired by conversations with a chemistry student and driven by a fascination with scientific concepts, Li Feng embarked on a creative journey that led to this unique series. The series includes works such as "René Descartes," "Schrödinger's Cat," "Aspirin," and "String Theory." Each piece explores scientific ideas, from skepticism to analytical geometry, reflecting on the perceived "absurdity" of scientific discoveries.
Li Feng's use of various materials and his meticulous sketching technique on small frames allowed him to create a large composite painting. The series is not merely an artistic expression but a philosophical exploration and a tribute to the heroes and geniuses of human history. Li Feng explored the challenging and stimulating journey of science towards discovering the ultimate secrets of the universe and the ultimate truth. He delved into the concept of "absurdity," stemming from humanity's shortsightedness and narrow cognition, and expressed it in his art.
The Square Root series is far from absurd; it's a reflection of the universe's profound truths. Li Feng used various readily available materials in his expression, avoiding over-conceptualization and emphasizing the narrative form of artistic language. By embedding scientific concepts and their perceived "absurdity" into art, Li Feng's experimental and adventurous approach to the Square Root series presents a fascinating self-referential description of art and science's imagination and aesthetic projection. It showcases the depth of thought and power, capturing the essence of human experience and the beauty of existence.
In Li Feng's words, this adventure may have been a risk, but it was one worth taking. The "Square Root" series stands as a testament to Li Feng's creativity and his profound connection to both art and science. It's a celebration of curiosity, a challenge to conventional wisdom, and a vibrant expression of the intersection between two seemingly disparate worlds.