jiazhao ye
About
Jiazhao Ye，born in 1999 in Shenzhen，China. Now working and studying in London.
Education:
2022 - now Royal College of Art, London, UK MA Print
2017 - 2021 Guangzhou Academic of Fine Arts (GAFA), Guangzhou, China BA Oil Painting
Recent and coming group exhibition:
2023 RCA Graduate Show, London, UK
2023 Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, UK
2023 Two fold, Dilston Gallery and Lake Gallery, Southwark Park Galleries, London, UK
2022 Flow, Banana Jam Gallery, Shenzhen, China
2021 Da Vinci Talk 2021, Aotea Centre, New Zealand
Statement
My practice revolves around profound themes of death, sacrifice, and anti-utopia. Through my work, I delve into the intricate interplay between the collective and the individual within society and culture.
My work is based on drawing and text, extending into printmaking, especially using the repetitive element inherent in print. Deliberately selecting yellowed, delicate paper for my prints, I infuse the artwork with an aged and artisanal quality. By crafting these document-like prints, I create a fictional narrative environment that intentionally blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction.
In my recent project titled 'well, come,' I aim to portray an anti-utopian city—a fantastical realm that prompts contemplation on the paradoxical relationship between the collective and the individual. Throughout this process, I gather historical images of violence, war, and destruction to draw inspiration and reimagine these visuals. By blending historical images from diverse cultural backgrounds, I construct a distinct and tumultuous fictional city. Through the interplay of images and text, I aim to convey the city's cultural climate—one that venerates sacrifice and war heroes.
Well，come
Well, come
Well, come.
This city is a cradle that nurtures heroes,
In our dictionary, there is no word for death, only sacrifice.
The gallows build temples, and the corpses construct monuments.
History here is written with the sound of gunfire,
We have forged the backbone of this city with our own blood.
Everyone is a master of this city.
Medium: photolithograph on japenese paper, documents, pictures
Size: 35cmX50cm, 50cmX70cm
Well，come（Diary）
Well, come
Excerpts from the diary
-Monday，
The evening sunset was really beautiful.
I stood by the newly erected monument by the river,
feeling its grandeur.
I wish that one day,
I could become a figure carved and remembered within that monument.
-Sunday,
Tonight, there was no trace of the moon in the sky.
I couldn't sleep; my mind was in disarray.
I thought, if I ever have a child of my own, I would allow them to join the military.
-Thursday,
After work, I attended a religious ceremony.
I felt fortunate that in our city, such a cherished tradition has been preserved. I got some blood stains on my clothes, and I won't wash this jacket for the next month as a mark of respect.
-Wednesday,
Today's weather was refreshing.
I watched the morning news and unexpectedly caught sight of a former colleague from seven years ago.
He tragically lost his life a week ago in a factory equipment fire while working overtime.
I felt a mix of pride and envy for him.****** Please forgive me.
Medium: print on Japanese paper
Size: 10cmX15cm
Publication
Homeland
An experimental visual poem about my memory of homeland, a publication project in progress
Medium: photo etching on Japanese paper