Hou Jingqi
I prefer to use my thoughts and experiences as the theme of my work. Combine my daily experience with some memories and ideas in my mind, and use images to visually express them in my works like a diary. In the previous work 'Trip', I chose the traditional art form of ancient Egyptian murals to visually record the scenes when I traveled to Europe with my friends. In the new practice, I continue to express my own experiences and ideas, combining the interesting experiences, inner feelings and emotions during my studies in the UK from April 2018 to September 2019 in different materials and forms: named '2018-2019: in my mind'.
Both art works are based on recording my own ideas and experiences.
In the initial idea, I wanted to present a splicing combination of different states and different materials. For example, the wooden boards connected with cords and canvases. The visual impact of different materials and colors is combined to form a set of records like a 'large sketch book'. After finalizing the exhibition space, I hope that the work can use the space to enhance the visual effect. I decided to make a part of the composition into multiple parts scattered in space. Collisions that limit the color and material on the canvas can extend to space or even collisions between viewers.
The first draft was named ‘Life in London’
Practice 1 :
In the first part of the work, I chose the way to create directly on large numbness with black and white colors, which is influenced by traditional Chinese ink painting, some ancient maps and nautical charts. I think this is a simple and intuitive way to record. Similar exhibitions have been shown in recent exhibitions such as : the Manga exhibition at the British Museum and the Keith Haring exhibition at Liverpool.
Since the texture of the burlap is very thick, it is difficult to paint. I squeeze the paint onto the burlap with a squeeze bottle, which makes the picture look more textured. I use acrylic paint. In some places, I will deliberately add more water to make the picture more layered.
I have practiced with more abundant materials in the works from thin to thick materials in the order of early experience to recent experience. For instance, to depict the experience of an early shallow memory on some used manuscript papers and tissues, whilst for the recent experience I will use thick materials such as wood. Different materials make the work break through the space, but the experience of different times is closely linked within the one work. These challenges have led to thinking about time and space, traditional and contemporary.
Practice 2 :
I stumbled upon a table with a damaged surface at the entrance of the sculpture studio. The damaged texture and the thickness of the table reminded me of ancient stone tablets and murals. So I think I can paint something on it, so that the damaged table can also become an art work. I created an image of a 'dog man' lying down, and this table with some imaginary patterns became his 'body.' By the way, his 'head' and 'foot' are also discarded wood boards that I have picked up from other places, they are directly become art works when paint 'head' and 'feet'.
I don't think that art works need too much decoration. Proper use of the natural state of the material itself will be much more advanced than careful decorated.
Practice 3 :
This piece of cloth was bought together with the previous burlap. The original intention of buying was the same as that of burlap. I wanted to draw on it. Because the color is very rich, I want to do a creation that is opposite to the burlap: the background is rich, and then directly colored with black and white to form a sharp contrast. In the simplest way can create a rich art work and layering. I really like this simple and not clumsy way, this makes art work fascinating and spiritual.
Practice 4 :
The reason for this work is that I got a small frame with good material and got a parcel. The wrapping paper inside the parcel is the texture that I like very much, so I used the wrapping paper on the small picture frame, and I found this to be similar to the oil-paper window used in ancient China without glass. In many TV series, some people will break the paper window and peek into the house, so I painted some small stories on the other side, smashed the wrapping paper and created a feeling of voyeurism.
Practice 5 :
These works are extended by Practice 2. These pieces of wood were all picked up before the creation, and then a set of works based on their own different shapes and characteristics. Only three simple materials, such as paper, canvas and wood, are used in the painting.
Due to the space allocation problem of the work, I finally decided to combine it with practice 3 to show the enhancement effect.
The combination of different materials and spaces will make the work richer and more layered, and the traditional factors that need to be explored by the audience are more valuable than directly to the audience.
exhibition site