Foresight is a series of works that Jiang Pengyi 蒋鹏奕 has produced through repeated experiments, elaboration, destruction and replacement since 2014. During the time the artist has persistently questioned and explored materials, methods and expressions in photography, with the significant concept "demeditation" driving his art. Trying to get rid of external limitations including cameras, lenses and shooting techniques, as well as subjective identity as an artist or photographer (producer), he retains only negatives, objects, time, and extremely limited, uncertain human intervention.
In traditional film photography, uncontrollability has always been a noticeable and fascinating feature: the final image remains a mystery till the end of printing. In order to refine and magnify this quality, the artist placed organic matter like fruits and vegetables on negatives, waiting for their changes in complete darkness. As time went by, the pictures were developed slowly, quietly into colours and compositions that Jiang never expected before. Besides, the painting style of photography has been another exploration done by the artist in recent years. In this body of works, the process of "painting" is unpredictable - he sets up natural dialogues so as to find the entrance into a new world.
Jiang is looking forward to the birth of a surprising image, instead of simply capturing, replicating or creating. However, his practice is not all about subjectivity, but a kind of grace that can’t be foreseen, which the artist considers as humble and free.
Jiang Pengyi was born in Yuanjiang, Hunan Province in 1977, graduated from China Academy of Art, and currently lives and works in Beijing. He creates a kind of surreal spectacle and delicate narration of the scene, mostly, by photo and video, to reveal the barriers and confusions of the individuals.
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