Interview | Bai Li
Li Bai graduated with a Master's degree from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, specializing in oil painting. His artworks have been collected and exhibited at prestigious venues including the National Art Museum of China, Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum, Longyan Art Museum, and Frans Baake Gallery in Paris.
[Creative Concept]
Art as Self-Healing
10 Questions with Artist Bai Li
August 11, 2023
Q1. How did your time at the Central Academy of Fine Arts shape your artistic vision and approach to oil painting?
The greatest benefit I've gained from my time at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) is the development of a creative mindset. I aspire to become an artist, transcending the role of a mere painter. The learning resources and environment of the CAFA have greatly enriched my growth. The presence of numerous exceptional teachers has been invaluable. They provide students with profound inspiration and assistance spanning technology, perspective, awareness, and creative ideation. In truth, the teachers' foremost concern is that students may lack direction. Enrolling in the CAFA doesn't solely involve mastering techniques; it's about discovering a sustainable artistic concept and expressing it through a personal artistic language. Ultimately, this journey leads to self-discovery. Only by truly understanding oneself can an individual identify the language that best represents them.
In retrospect, my major in oil painting throughout my academic years served as a foundational stepping stone, unlocking the gateway to artistic creation. Art's essence lies in expression, a realm with myriad avenues and methods. Oil painting merely serves as a medium among many. My years of dedicated study in oil painting have furnished me with a solid aesthetic groundwork and fundamental skills. These assets form a crucial pillar supporting my current multidimensional creative endeavors.
Q2. The theme of "late bloom" in your work statement is intriguing. Can you elaborate on how this theme resonates with you personally and how it influences your artistic expression?
"The Late Bloomer (晚熟的人)" is a book by Mo Yan (莫言). This book resonated deeply with me. I found a reflection of myself within its pages - a late bloomer in life. Many aspects of human experience and understanding came to me later than they did for others my age. In the words of an elderly individual, I was always just a half-beat slower. Despite my slower pace, I realized that with determined effort and a commitment to learning, I could surpass others. My journey of learning might take longer, but it would ultimately yield better results.
There are numerous situations where I struggle to respond like a mature adult, swiftly and confidently. I'm often left speechless, much like the person portrayed in the picture. This initial sense of being lost is my instinctive reaction when confronted with the complexities of reality. I require additional time to contemplate and accept these challenges. I aspire to maintain a certain detachment from the world, avoiding getting too entangled in its complexities. To achieve this, I strive to elevate myself, gaining a higher vantage point from which I can observe and understand the world without becoming enmeshed in its intricacies.
This state of late maturity is something I wish to preserve indefinitely. It signifies the presence of a lingering childlike wonder within me, a willingness to believe in the beauty of the world and the inherent goodness of people. This mindset fuels my enduring enthusiasm and curiosity about the world. It's a natural disposition, a blessing that creates an invulnerable sanctuary. In fact, it's this very sanctuary that enables me to create art that embodies purity and clarity.
仙人掌, 丙烯、PVC板、提花面料, 2022
Q3. Your art seems to evoke introspection. What message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from your work?
To begin with, my creative process is rooted in self-healing. For me, the act of creation mirrors a conversation with a gentle narrator. This narrator conveys information from the external world, engaging in a deliberate dialogue with me. This gradual exchange allows me to embrace and process the information, fostering acceptance and contemplation. This compassionate narrator is, of course, none other than myself. The creative process transforms into a personal dialogue, a method to untangle emotional knots and bring about inner tranquility.
Indeed, the creative process serves as an intimate dialogue with oneself, a means to unravel emotional complexities and soothe turbulent feelings. Many contemporary young individuals grapple with similar challenges, including various mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and mania. I intend for viewers of my work to sense a profound connection when they encounter it. My paintings stand as a testament that I'm traversing these challenges alongside them, giving them a shared experience to relate to.
扣, 丙烯、脑ct图, 2022
Q4. In your opinion, how does art serve as a means to explore and communicate complex emotions and concepts that may be challenging to express through other mediums?
To me, painting represents a journey of connection and dialogue with my subconscious mind. It's a path of self-exploration and excavation. Through painting, I tap into a private, enclosed period of time that belongs solely to me. Within this time frame, I unearth a wealth of information and power, and I'm able to convey emotions that might otherwise remain unexpressed. The images that emerge feel as if they are pouring out from the depths of my mind. Often, I'm unaware of these emotions until they appear on the canvas. What's more, even after completing numerous pieces, I realize that the original intent of my expression may have evolved. These works carry concealed and poignant messages, surpassing my initial intentions. The act of painting resembles extending a hand to my subconscious. I'm responsible for preparing the materials, yet I remain uncertain about the final outcome. Both painting and emotion thrive within the realm of right-brain thinking. The creation of art originates from the right brain and is subsequently interpreted by it.
For the audience, the most striking distinction between pictorial art and other forms of art lies in its ability to solidify time. The depth of information woven into a painting might rival that of a play. However, the process of unpacking this information differs from person to person and from one moment to another. Diverse individuals will perceive a range of emotions when faced with the same painting. Furthermore, personal growth and life experiences lead to evolving interpretations. Revisiting the same artwork at different points in one's life yields varying insights. Unlike verbal communication, paintings lack explicit meanings. This absence of clarity empowers viewers to derive their own significance based on personal experiences and opinions.
Q5. Nature seems to be a recurring motif in your art. What does nature symbolize for you?
The entirety of our world holds within it inherent truths—messages that seem to whisper their wisdom to us. Yet, only a few pause to truly listen. Nature, my most profound teacher, embodies truth in its very existence—whether it be the paths we tread, the organs that sustain us, or the materials we are composed of. We are intricately entwined within nature's embrace, our consciousness and soul temporarily residing within its organic elements. Nature is the essence of existence itself, encompassing a world that is, essentially, theirs.
As human beings, we possess the ability to shape imagery, but these creations stem from the manipulation of nature's fundamental constituents. Our creative endeavors remain firmly rooted within nature's bounds; we cannot fashion anything that transcends its scope. Consequently, each instance of me observing and attuning myself to nature imparts upon me a revelation, an understanding that I later translate into my art. For instance, the pacific saury teaches me resilience, urging me to swim against life's currents. The mushroom encourages me to craft my own shelter, much like it does. The cactus imparts the wisdom of maintaining a balanced distance between individuals.
I select the most poignant details from these interactions, distill and reshape them, then blend them with my personal emotions to give rise to my final artwork. This collaborative process with nature culminates in an image that's born of partnership—where I assume the role of nature's interpreter, a bridge between its teachings and human comprehension.
母亲的戒指, 丙烯、PVC板、提花面料, 2023
受洗, 丙烯、PVC板、提花面料, 2023
Q6. Could you discuss any specific artistic influences or inspirations that have played a significant role in shaping your style and artistic voice?
During my teenage years, I chanced upon a magazine and stumbled upon a painting that caught my eye. It was the first instance where I realized that paintings could evoke emotions beyond merely being aesthetically pleasing. The artwork was by Yayoi Kusama. In her painting, a black river flowed with fireflies attempting to cross it. At that point, I wasn't aware of the artist's background or the motivation behind the painting. All I could remember was her name and the profound attraction the painting held for me.
Many years later, when I entered university, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into Yayoi Kusama's life and work. It was then that I discovered the striking parallels between her experiences and mine. Our shared childhood encounters, spiritual states, yearnings for a grander world, and the desire to distance ourselves from our origins resonated with me. Her life journey was one of finding solace and healing through art.
To me, art isn't a pursuit for fame or fortune; it's a medium that authentically integrates into my life, guiding and accompanying me every day. It stands as the sanctuary of my heart and the embodiment of my belief in life. Consequently, I've never considered selling my paintings for financial gain. I view them as a part of me, under my care and control.
Yayoi Kusama "taught" me that art can truly connect with the soul, as long as the creator genuinely expresses their authentic emotions. Merely embellishing a piece of paper for superficial appeal is devoid of meaning and only fetches a marginal monetary return. Authentic works demand personal experience and sentiment, wherein emotions are transmuted into images that resonate with both the creator and the observer—a slice of living existence. Interestingly, Yayoi Kusama shares the same birthday as me, a fact that further connects me to her profound influence.
黄花鱼, 丙烯、PVC板、提花面料, 2022
Q7. The fusion of different mediums and materials in your art creates a unique visual language. How do you feel this approach enhances the expression of your works?
This is precisely where the allure of art lies. Many things don't necessarily need to be physically drawn or painted. Pre-existing objects or diverse materials can more directly convey intricate emotions. Every individual's perception of materials varies. Fabrics, for instance, hold a special resonance with me. This is why you'll find various types of fabric in my works. Building on this foundation, I can more effectively communicate the soothing effects I aim for, as these materials first calm my own emotions.
Moreover, a specific material can serve as a representative of complex events. A simple piece of chocolate wrapper might unravel a series of stories and memories. I tend to gather a multitude of small items in my daily life—cards, packaging paper, and the like. In truth, they all symbolize facets of my existence. The utilization of these materials is akin to creating a foundation for my artistic endeavors. My themes and emotions are built upon the bedrock of past experiences and life's intricate details.
Q8. In your artistic journey, have you encountered any obstacles or challenges? If so, how did you overcome them?
My greatest obstacle is myself. Often, after completing a painting, a voice emerges within me, proclaiming that it's worthless, devoid of purpose, questioning what I'm truly expressing. At times, I even contemplate destroying it. I grapple with doubts regarding whether the audience will accept my art, if they'll comprehend its message. I also face external skepticism, where people question the resemblance of my work to Yayoi Kusama's, asking about the differences between them.
Consequently, every time I finish a piece, I confront the myriad questions that arise in my mind. Failing to address any one of them becomes a hurdle to moving forward. This constant self-inquiry leads to deeper insights and profound resolutions. Each inquiry reinforces my beliefs, further defining my artistic language. Only through continual reinforcement can I persist, for the path of art is fragile, prone to compromise and deviation.
秋季寻找, 丙烯、PVC板、提花面料, 2022
Q9. How do you envision your art evolving in the future, and do you foresee any new themes or concepts emerging in your upcoming creations?
I will continue on the path of seeking truth and then transform the insights I find into images. I hope that my artwork can provide healing not only for myself but also for the viewers. I wish for my creations to go beyond mere aesthetic appreciation, aiming to establish a connection. These pieces serve as a bridge, linking together scattered souls. Even though we may not see each other, a single painting can gather the resonances left behind by previous observers. The energy encapsulated within it can then be fed back to the next viewer.
Q10. What advice would you give to aspiring peer artists who are just starting out?
If you love art, cherish it throughout your life and never abandon it.
红纹秋海棠, 丙烯、PVC板、彩砂, 2022
飞跃彼岸, 丙烯、PVC板、提花面料, 2022