Shu ShanYi about the innovation of pure art

The China Central Academy of Fine Art presented „The Start of a Long Journey – The Future of Art“ in London's Art@GoldenSquare. The exhibition piqued my curiosity: What is the meaning of innovation besides all the new developments on the one hand and what are the thoughts of a chinese artist who has given a broader view on what defines culture because he struggled through tremendous social changes on the other hand? This questions led me to  Shu ShanYi who is one of the showed artists.

Do social trends, history and future unify in your art?

Definitely. What I did with the New Chinese Poster is: I took the tradition of the new year poster, which adapts social developments and carries strong political propaganda features as well. While keeping the warm and vivid visual characteristics, I turn the posters into a portrayal of reality reflecting both present and future and transfer the reality into a superrealism forsight.

What reaction are you hoping for?

Obtaining a new image and feeling about realitiy. Or even building an authentic and plain power which voices the artist’s thoughts from the reality itself. I hope I can make a warning of the implicit future through the metaphor of the chinese poster.

Is there a need for warnings?

Influenced by the one-child-policy China is now  facing the problems of the aging society. There is increasing pressure on the retirement pension system, expanding expenditures on medical and health service, exacerbation labor force shortage, a hindered economy development and new social conflicts.

work for xubing's 2010 | photo by Shu ShanYi

How would you describe the current Chinese art world?

The present situation looks like it does a great leap forward like in the 60's. Exaggeration is the  most appropriate adjective. Just like a bubble, bursts on their own in the final. I don’t like an environment like this, it’s too dishonest. Artists, galleries, proxies, mediums and the public did not get ready for the present situation. Most of them are still just looking out for their own benefits. The standard to judge an artist’s success seems like a prize. In this environment I would rather want to have a choice to quit. In order to do what I really think to do is best: to innovate things. I am operating a design company. At this moment I am working on some interesting product designs. By doing this I can survive and more important my art creation isn’t affected by any other interests than staying pure art.

照片 | photo by Shu ShanYi

Which looks like a challenge.

Because of the conditions in China many artists are choosing a market oriented way for their art creations. It’s about plagiarism, imitation, duplication, deliberation, affectation and making a fuss. So the biggest challenge in China is to do pure art and not chase other interests. That’s how I feel, it’s not to assail the Chinese art.

What else does innovation mean to you other than the freedom of doing what you like?

For me personal innovation is a process that works from the inside to the outside. It’s not depending on a new media thing or a certain language, also it doesn’t just search for irritation or to make an innovation for the sake of it. Just to say „I’m innovative“. When I see a problem I will look for a suitable way to express and the innovation comes automatically.

How do other artists work?

Some of the Chinese artists are mistaken. Many of them are trying to innovate, but they do not reflect problems in life through their works. It’s about drawing the attention, but they don’t care about the meaning of art itself.

From your point of view and relating to the titel of the exhibition: In which direction should the „long journey“go?

The longest journey begins with a single step. What I’m doing right now is a beginning. It’s a way to let art be influenced by life and have a final meaning to life. I see problems in life, in creating my work and finding suitable ways to express my views and worries. My aim is that Chinese people accept my works, become aware of the problems we have in our real life and act accordingly. We should care about our problems. I suppose that where art has more impact the art itself has a real function in life.