Zhixiang Yang

I'm Yang Zhixiang 杨智翔 a fashion designer, textile artist, and painter. I am thrilled to announce that my fashion brand will be launching next year. Since childhood, I have been immersed in the world of painting, cultivating a deep passion for oil painting and watercolors. I specialize in expressing my personal style through the use of dual-tone techniques.

During my undergraduate studies at Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London, I delved into the realm of textile design and gradually discovered the immense potential of utilizing different textile materials in painting, which posed exciting challenges and brought a fresh perspective to my work.

Over time, I have developed my own distinctive style of textile painting, with a particular focus on the technique of montage. Unlike traditional textile design approaches that rely on molds and repetitive printing, my theory of montage textile painting involves the independent creation and juxtaposition of material structures to assemble a cohesive and representational visual composition.

Looking ahead, as I prepare for the launch of my fashion brand next year, I aspire to incorporate my textile design theories into futuristic and captivating designs. I hope to captivate attention and admiration with my creations. I firmly believe in the importance of continual exploration, learning, and innovation.

I am immensely grateful for the enriching experience of studying at the Royal College of Art this year. It has provided me with invaluable knowledge and inspiration. I eagerly look forward to showcasing my work and sharing my artistic journey with all of you.

In this narrative artwork, I embark on a continuous creative journey that revolves around the recollection of my best friend, who went missing during my youth. Through embroidered pieces, I delve into the memories I hold of him. These memories have been haunting and painful, causing recurring dreams and anxiety in many of my relationships. However, through deep psychological healing, I discovered that it was my past self that I mourned, and I feared returning to that unsettling environment.

The Final Chapter:

The culmination of this artwork takes the form of a self-portrait created on my birthday. It serves as a commemoration, not only for myself but also for the person I was years ago. Determined to heal the scars, I have decided to create a self-portrait on each birthday, using the medium of embroidery. It is my hope that through each stitch, the wounds will find closure. Ultimately, the expectations placed upon us by others will always return to the depths of our own hearts. Life is a continuous cycle of transformation, where we encounter countless departures and rebirths, both in terms of our surroundings and the people we encounter or ourselves.

Creative Process:

I have developed a unique artistic approach known as montage textile painting. The creation of these artworks is not instantaneous, and the logic behind the transformation from materials to finished pieces is non-linear. Firstly, I dye various PVC materials without a specific purpose, allowing their creative logic to develop organically. Then, I employ the technique of montage, rearranging and collaging these materials based on their varying translucency. The end result is a series of embroidered portraits that capture the essence of my subject.

By intertwining storytelling and embroidery, my artwork becomes a vessel for catharsis and self-reflection. Through the non-linear creative process of montage textile painting, I hope to evoke a sense of introspection and resilience in the viewer.