jiazhao ye

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.