Secretive Semantics
Ash Wei & Yuelun Gong Double Solo Exhibition
The complex relationships between individuals and culture, symbols, and cognition from their unique perspectives.
Words by Liuxuan Lv
The double exhibition "Secretive Semantics", jointly presented by Yuelun Gong and Ash Wei, is on view at 4C Gallery from December 28, 2024, to January 8, 2025. Using printmaking as the primary medium, the two artists explore the complex relationships between individuals and culture, symbols, and cognition from their unique perspectives.
Yuelun Gong: A Narrative of Healing Through Art
Yuelun Gong's work approaches gender issues and societal norms from a female perspective, creating a space for narrative healing. Immersed in her artistic world, one experiences a process of self-discovery and dialogue, through which the artist not only explores her identity but also fosters a more open and inclusive societal conversation. In modern society, discussions about sex are often stigmatized, perceived as taboo or inappropriate. Gong's works vividly address social issues such as the lack of sex education and gender discrimination. By intertwining private and public concerns, she forms a potent visual language with profound social impact.
Yuelun Gong, an artist based in Los Angeles, centers her creative practice on examining the connections between family, society, and humanity. Through the lens of a female perspective, she delves into gender topics, challenging traditional notions of sexuality. Screen printing is her primary medium, and its efficiency and vibrant color gradients perfectly convey her ideas. However, she has expanded her practice beyond traditional materials like paper, experimenting with mirrors and other surfaces, thereby broadening her artistic boundaries and infusing her work with fresh inspiration.
Her creations stem from deep self-dialogue and reflection. Initially, she faced anxiety about exploring themes of sexuality, fearing societal backlash. However, as her artistic journey unfolded, she shifted her focus to authentic self-expression, gradually embracing the significance of bodily integrity and self-reconciliation. This understanding empowered her to rise above external criticism and approach her work with confidence. This process of self-exploration also brought familial conflicts, such as when her father reacted strongly against the sensitive nature of her themes. Paradoxically, these tensions strengthened her resolve to express herself.
Yuelun seeks a balance between personal perspectives and societal issues. She views her art as the first step in exploring sexuality and aims to engage in social dialogue through her works, learning and growing from audience feedback. Her ultimate goal is to inspire and educate others. Regarding China's traditional views on sexuality, Gong believes the critical challenge lies in facing and accepting sex openly. She emphasizes that normalizing discussions about sex is essential for deeper exploration. Her installations feature mirrored prints of uterine flowers arranged alongside other prints, encouraging audience interaction. When entering the installation space, viewers may catch glimpses of themselves in the mirrors, helping them overcome feelings of shame or discomfort about sexuality and gradually fostering acceptance.
Beyond personal expression, Yuelun hopes her work serves an educational purpose. She is deeply concerned about the societal problems caused by inadequate sex education, such as teenage pregnancies, the spread of STDs, and sexual violence. She believes these issues stem from ignorance and fear of sexuality, which could be mitigated through earlier, more comprehensive sex education. Her art provides new perspectives, aiming to reduce biases and inspire viewers to confront their physical boundaries and needs while advocating for safe, healthy, and fulfilling sexual practices.
As a female artist, Yuelun asserts that women often exhibit courage and sensitivity when addressing gender issues. They find resonance with these topics and boldly voice their perspectives. Through her works, she hopes to connect with audiences of all ages, encouraging them to reflect on the relationship between sexuality and selfhood while advocating for the importance of sex education. Gong’s art is not merely a visual language but also a medium for societal dialogue. Through her creations, audiences can sense the artist’s emotions and thoughts while being guided to reevaluate their lives and societal beliefs. This interaction between art and audience adds profound meaning and impact to her works.
Ash Wei: Exploring the Boundless Possibilities of the Book Form
Ash Wei, a New York-based designer and artist, focuses on text-driven design and experiments with the boundaries of book forms and printmaking through her platform, AWater Press. Inspired by semiotics and Borges' philosophical musings, Wei reimagines books as mediums of visual and tactile experience, redefining their essence and significance through the interplay of form and content.
In this exhibition, Wei employs RISOgraph printing to create five poster designs using a two-color RISO printer. While the printing method itself is straightforward, Wei draws inspiration from letterpress techniques, particularly the use of decorative ornaments to form large graphic compositions. Her unique approach constructs visible shapes solely from ornaments, leveraging the high saturation of RISO inks to simulate RGB colors and evoke the aesthetic of ASCII art. This innovative fusion highlights her distinct understanding of traditional and modern printing techniques.
Semiotics and Borges’ philosophical explorations profoundly influence Wei's creations. She draws inspiration from Borges' works, particularly his imaginative depictions of the universe and civilization, conveyed through metaphors of space and structure. Imagery such as labyrinths, hexagonal libraries, and spirals not only possess architectural beauty but also serve as symbols for cycles, infinity, and multidimensional meaning. These philosophical elements imbue her work with a meditative quality.
About Artists
Yuelun Gong, now living in Los Angeles, graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art and is committed to exploring more possibilities of printmaking.
Ash Wei is a New York-based graphic designer and book artist whose work under AWater Press reimagines publishing as both art and a tool for connection. Passionate about writing and text-centered design, Ash experiments with book forms and printmaking to challenge traditional boundaries.
Wei's nonlinear narrative structures are another hallmark of her practice. Her designs allow viewers to begin engaging with a poster from any detail, navigating the interplay between symbols and text to form their interpretations. Through this open-ended approach, Wei encourages audiences to deconstruct and reconstruct narratives, co-creating multidimensional spatial experiences actively.
As both a designer and artist, Wei emphasizes the balance between functionality and artistry in her works. She distinguishes design, which serves specific clients, from fine art, which prioritizes personal expression. Yet, she finds that visual language and skills are shared between the two realms. Experiences and inspirations from her artistic experiments inform her design practice. For Wei, art embodies freedom and exploration, while design prioritizes efficiency and practicality.
Wei observes that the meanings of symbols and text are constantly evolving. Symbols, as tools of expression and communication, carry metaphorical and abstract power. However, in the digital age, simplified symbolic expressions risk reducing people’s understanding of their full potential. Wei strives to maintain an independent perspective on symbol interpretation, resisting contemporary trends.
Through this exhibition, Wei showcases her profound insights into text-driven design and expands the audience’s understanding of the possibilities of book forms and printmaking. Her works prompt reflection on the relationships between symbols, text, and narrative, exploring diverse modes of expression at the intersection of art and design.
The double exhibition "Secretive Semantics" highlights Yuelun Gong and Ash Wei’s deep explorations of gender, symbols, and cognition. Gong challenges gender norms through screen printing, advocating for sexual education and body awareness, while Wei combines semiotics and nonlinear narratives with traditional and modern printmaking to investigate the intersections of language and cognition.
