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Memory Landscape- an exhibition by Shizico Yi
featuring more than 40 new artworks with many more from 2013 onwards, this exhibition explores Shizico Yi’s deep connection to conceptual art and how she challenged the genres from installation, painting to drawing. "My work is to create generous and immersive space through various mediums for hearts to heal." -on [Memory Landscape]-Shizico Yi 2024 |
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Decades ago, when I was a designer and filmmaker, I once told myself, I wanted to die as a painter.
That sentiment still true to this day. During the years cared for my ill dog then came the pandemic, creating large sculptures or installations became challenging due to space at home that constraints, so I focused on painting and drawing. I know painting is my superpower. I am no superhero, just a mad cat-woman, you will see a lot of that in this exhibition. But me being crazy about animals stems from the love of my late dog, Favor. Losing him took me three years to find strength returning to art. Like many who lost loved ones during the pandemic, to wars and illnesses, I too have experienced profound loss throughout my life. Our broken-hearted memories need healing, and for me, that came in the form of a stray cat sent by universe to the garden I had created for my dog. This garden became a place of recovery and healing for both me and my beloved animals. These few years, life has been difficult, I decided to shower my whole being with beauty, gentleness and time. My art might be pleasing or even beautiful which is the word most artists feel cringe about, but I embrace it; because there is enough ugliness in life, we all need more of the truth; to me, in truth, there comes beauty. I remember discussing with my mentor during my PhD about naming one of my installations "Memory Landscape." In research, naming something "Landscape" would require extensive justification; so, at the end, I name the installation [Landscape Memory]. Though the seed stayed with me, that might be why I named one of my largest paintings for my family "Memory Landscape." It feels like everything has come full circle when I name that family painting; yet I continue to explore the meaning of "landscape" in my art. The landscape of memories of a life fully lived and felt is bound to be beautiful; I wish to create space in my art where you can be free from the troubled world, the pain and worries are momentarily left behind. My paintings are creating spaces allowing the heart to heal; in short, I want to share what the power of art does for me with you. I thought this exhibition would mark the end of a nine-year project, but instead, it feels like just another chapter. I realise that a comprehensive book or catalogue is necessary to fully capture this journey, and this show presents the perfect opportunity to start that book. But before that, here is the result of 6 months of curatorial and studio hard work. Sincerely inviting you to sit back, relax, and enjoy these artworks ( 46 new works and many from archive too) where I lay my heart bare to share with you over cups of coffee. With love, Shizu and Sonny the cat UK, 2024 |
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Shizu's beloved cat, Sonny, was rescued from her garden in the year of Covid lockdown when people in London started to dump their kittens out the street because of the pandemic; Sonny is now living a quiet and gentle life. His presence brings much joy and magical appreciation in Shizu's every day.
[Breakfast with Cat] Series invites viewers to discover the extraordinary within the ordinary, weaving together the essence of every day with the playful contours of her beloved cat. With colour strokes of oil and acrylic and gold, Shizico's ink drawings come to life, offering a glimpse into the serene beauty of the mundane. |
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[Spring Duet] is a project that explores the format of a diptych through a series of set paintings. Shizu painted all paintings en plein air in situ, capturing the landscape outside of her studio and the interiors of the studio in its entirety, depicted across 8 canvases as 4 sets of diptychs.
Each canvas represents a part of musical notes, creating a visual harmony akin to a musical duet. [Spring Duet] is part of this ongoing [Memory Landscape Series], which started in 2015; almost a decade later, the series continues to evolve, showcasing the rich depth of Shizico's exploration with visual languages, concepts and materials. |
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