Cheng Yen Yu
Cheng Yen’s practice explores phenomenon of different eras, community relationships, the cycle of life and death, social psychology and oriental philosophy. The artist tends to dissect societal themes through the collisions of individuals in different environmental contexts, including collective memory, conformity, fictional authenticity on social media, the fragility of human nature and relationships, and other related topics. Cheng Yen engages in dissecting and interpreting these phenomena to reflect the diverse positions individuals occupy within society or understand their situations. Artists aim to foster reflection and resonate with viewers and inspire progress.
During his time in Cappadocia, Turkey, Cheng Yen was drawn to the mysterious local rocks and underground cities. He began incorporating this geographic feature and history as visual symbols, metaphorically representing the complexities of individuals within society. The rocks, carved into maze-like interior networks, windows, churches, and other human imprints, symbolize the transformation of individuals from “primitiveness” to gradual “socialization.”
Exploring Medium relationships is a crucial element in his practice, involving materials such as patching plaster, clay, cement concrete, sand, earth, brick, and nails. The use of “artificial” materials to reinterpret the “original” rocks strengthens the contradictory collisions between the individual’s inherent self and their societal relationships.
