Features

Artist Statement: 

Yuan pushes the boundaries of traditional painting. Her art combines elements of painting, sculpture, and installation to forge a unique visual language that defies categorization. Yuan’s creative process for sculptural paintings centers on deconstruction and reformation, employing techniques like laser-cutting to translate her ideas into tangible form. She begins by deconstructing patterns and then reassembles them through layering and experimentation, infusing her paintings with more dimension and movement. The layers blur the boundaries of traditional painting frames, creating immersive environments that foster a dialogue between the artwork and its surroundings. She plays with light and shadow through each layer and within the painting, enhancing the depth and complexity of the pieces. Embracing the unpredictable nature of her process, she allows each artwork to evolve organically, with unexpected elements emerging as integral aspects of her work. The result is a fusion of individual patterns that form intricate compositions—each fragment standing alone yet contributing to a harmonious whole. Through her fusion of mediums and motifs, Yuan creates a visual symphony—a poetic dialogue that transcends the canvas, offering a powerful commentary on the synergy and tension between culture, humanity, and the timeless allure of nature.

Her art draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of Renaissance and Rococo paintings. Influenced by masterful allegories from artists like Tiepolo, Caravaggio, and Raphael, as well as the churches and ancient architecture she encountered throughout Europe, she brings her unique vision to life. Vintage clothing and jewelry also play a role in her creative process. By skillfully combining lighting techniques and European details with influences from Chinese ink painting, she crafts her own distinctive painting style. Through pure abstraction, she aims to convey dramatic narratives and intense emotions of struggle, doubt, and fury. Her work delves into the spiritual world and ever-changing human emotions, exploring the aspects of the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. By simulating elements like water, clouds, and plants, she raises questions about eternity, emotion and belief.   

Bio:

Alexandra Yuan (b. 1995, China) is a contemporary artist raised in Canada and based in New York. Her practice spans painting, printmaking, and installation, weaving airy, dreamlike aesthetics with structural tension. Through her work, Yuan engages with themes of feminism, spirituality, and nature, drawing from her lived experience across cultures to explore fragility, resilience, and transformation.

She is an MFA in Fine Arts candidate at the School of Visual Arts, New York. She earned a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing from New York University and a BA in Economics from the University of British Columbia, Canada. 

Yuan’s work reflects a deep engagement with diverse landscapes and feminist discourses, embodying both her cultural journey and her commitment to reimagining the boundaries of form and meaning.

Website: www.alexandrayuan.art | @alexandrayuan_

Course: Silkscreen: Painterly Techniques | FIC-2809-A