YuYu’s Self Portraits Creativley Combine Generations
“I was never too good with words, creating is my way of communicating my thoughts,” says Berlin based artist YuYu. Through his art he certainly has found a way to speak to the world, and I completely fell in love with his language.
The art world is often guilty of being snobbish. So it’s refreshing when a creative comes along and disrupts the narrative, explaining through their art that “even if you don’t like what I’m doing, I’m doing it anyway.” YuYu is one of those shaking up the status quo.
When an artist makes a lot of noise with their work, it can be seen as a cry for attention. However, when the artist makes work that is as strong as it is powerful, it demands attention—YuYu clearly belongs in the latter category.
YuYu has taken art from a different generation and replenished it with a theme that speaks to a modern-day way of expression. Some may find it shocking, while others will love it. No matter your response, I guarantee you will respond, and that’s the sign of an artist that’s on the right path.
YuYu agreed to do an interview with Them Frames, so we could learn more about him, his back story, and his work. Enjoy!
Them Frames: Hello YuYu! How did you feel about the current state of your photography journey when you woke up this morning?
YuYu: Hey hey!
Fascinated! And to be completely fair, I feel like that almost every morning! Two years ago I went through a long period of questioning the validity of my work, being where I am today, seeing how much I’ve grown and how many people find resonance in my creations; is an indescribable feeling.
Them Frames: You write that you didn’t find your artistic voice until moving to Berlin from Taiwan, why do you think that is?
YuYu: Moving to Berlin from Taiwan was a life-changing experience for many reasons but I think the most important, the one that interchangeably affected my path onwards, was the fact that I was now living in a foreign country where I didn’t “belong”.
This new reality urged me to explore my positioning in European society and it tremendously affected the evolution of myself and by extension, my creative work. Berlin inspired and empowered me to put myself out there unconditionally.
Them Frames: Let’s talk about your work; are they paintings, photographs, digital art? What’s going on with these wonderful creations?
YuYu: Hahaha, actually it's all three of those. It is inherently digital art that appropriates classical paintings and combines them with photography.
Them Frames: When you say that you’re “appropriating art” what do you mean by that?
YuYu: Appropriating art is not a term I invented, it is an artistic practice that was first introduced during the 1920s and I personally find as one of the most powerful artistic tools functioning as commentary on the history of art.
Appropriation in art and art history refers to the practice of artists using pre-existing objects or images in their art with little to no transformation of the original. At its core, appropriation aims to recontextualize borrowed elements or imagery, allowing the viewer to re-imagine them in new narratives and more relevant, contemporary contexts.
Them Frames: What type of environment helps you generate and develop your concepts?
YuYu: This might sound a bit odd but most of my inspiration comes from the toxicity of human societies. Feelings of anger or frustration, often translate into creative outputs for me to express myself. Assuming I was living in a utopia, I am sure I’d have no need to create the works I currently do.
Them Frames: There’s a lot of historical art embedded into your work; please can you tell us about some of your influences?
YuYu: My influences go way beyond what can obviously be seen in my work! There’s clearly a lot of inspiration coming from the techniques and romanticism of the classical masters but I feel creatives get inspiration from every aspect of their lives. What particularly attracts me to historic works of art is their lighting. It always felt like the first form of photography, a way to capture moments and make them exist for eternity.
Them Frames: You’re often the star of your own creations. How do you feel in front of a camera?
YuYu: It is empowering. But I think the secret to it is that I am both the model and the director at the same time. I have tried modeling for photographers before and the feeling is so much different. Not being in control of the narrative can be intimidating, especially in vulnerable setups. When I shoot myself it's playful, liberating, and fun!
Them Frames: Many of your frames, for some, maybe quite provocative. Are sexuality and identity a driving force for your creations and what message are you hoping to send?
YuYu: My work has the intention to question our perceptions plus our understanding of art history and history in general. Issues of representation in mainstream culture, the stigma attached to nudity, and gender roles can all be found at the very core of my practice.
Them Frames: Without giving away your secrets, from start to finish can you briefly share your creative process for your creations, please?
YuYu: Hahaha of course!
Technically speaking I create everything using Photoshop and my Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera. Conceptually things are a bit more complicated. In order to find the painting that would become the perfect base for the story I want to narrate, I need to dig into hundreds of hours of research.
I will study every aspect of them, from their compositions to the characters' expressions and overall stories, and then work on the elements I need to keep or remove. After I have established my goals I go to the studio, shoot hundreds of pictures of different body parts, and then spend a few weeks collaging all the elements into my final compositions.
Them Frames: What’s your creative focus for the next 6-12 months?
YuYu: A big part of my strategy for this year is devoted to growing my exposure to new audiences, both in the physical and digital realms. At the same time, I'm working on brand partnerships that can be beneficial for my professional growth. I wish I could share more details but I like some mystery.
Them Frames: Finally: can you share one band or musician that serves as the perfect soundtrack to your work?
YuYu: Hahaha, my music taste is completely random but if I had to choose just one that would be my lord and savior —Lady Gaga!