Yihao Li is a Chinese-born visual artist, researcher, and educator based in Glasgow. His creative practice spans drawing, sculpture, and installation art, focusing on East Asian art, Orientalism, and fascination with the interplay between form and material. Start with a question on the physicality and three-dimensionality of sculpture, which necessarily invoke bodily relations – even in the most patently abstract of sculpture; his work employs a diverse array of materials to interpret and translate the concept of the erased body within the realm of pre-empirical knowledge.

Ultimately, his works articulate a symbiotic relationship between form, materiality, and cultural identity, serving as a testament to the ongoing exploration of artistic expression and the complexities of human existence.

Yihao’s work can be seen as part of Print Unleashed, which runs at Six Foot Gallery until July 18th 2024.

Hi Yihao! Can you tell us how your artistic journey started?
My artistic journey began with an intrinsic fascination with the interplay between form and material. This initial interest led me to explore various mediums, such as drawing, sculpture, and installation art. My journey has been guided by an empirical approach, where each piece evolves from the previous one, reflecting a continuous, iterative process without a predetermined end​.

How did you arrive at the theme of your work?
The theme of my work is rooted in the exploration of form as a fundamental aspect of artistic discourse. Influenced by the concept of “Matter yearns for form” by Aristotle, I became intrigued by the raw, formless nature of found objects. This intrigue, combined with a fascination for integrating Oriental languages, guided me towards themes that contemplate the essence of form, materiality, and cultural identity. My work often reflects on the concept of the erased body within the realm of pre-empirical knowledge, striving to connect deeply with the human body and materials while preserving their inherent qualities​.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
My creative process begins with exploring found objects and materials. I engage in meticulous experimentation with proportions and textures to imbue materials with a semblance of bodily imagination. This process is characterised by a balance between manipulating and preserving the material’s inherent qualities. I begin by exploring the potential of found objects and materials to establish a profound connection between them and the human body. Each piece I create builds on the previous one, forming a continuous sequence of gestures that evolves without a predetermined end​.

What do you do to keep motivated and interested in your work?
My motivation and interest are sustained by the ongoing exploration of artistic expression and the complexities of human existence. Regular engagement with various works builds a visual library in my mind, serving as a rich repository of observed forms and structures. This visual library informs my current compositions and keeps my practice dynamic and engaging. Additionally, integrating cultural elements and philosophical concepts provides a continually inspiring context for my work.

How do you typically approach your creative process from initial inspiration to the completion of your artwork?
My approach to the creative process starts with initial inspiration drawn from found objects and materials. I then experiment with these elements, focusing on their textures and proportions to explore their potential. This process is guided by a desire to establish a connection between the materials and the human body. The work evolves in a sequence of gestures, with each piece informing the next. This iterative process continues until the work embodies a symbiotic relationship between form, materiality, and cultural identity, ultimately achieving completion​​.

Which artists inspire you? Are there non-artistic influences such as literature or music that impact your work?
I draw significant inspiration from Chinese-French artist Chen Zhen, whose work is deeply influenced by Buddhism and traditional Chinese medical ideas. His approach to integrating cultural and philosophical depth into art aligns with my practice. 

Non-artistic influences play a crucial role in shaping my work. The principles of Buddhism and the Five phases, much like those that influenced Chen Zhen, provide a rich, multifaceted context that informs my art’s thematic and conceptual layers. These influences collectively contribute to a deeper understanding and expression of the complexities of human existence and cultural identity in my work.

Read more about Yihao’s work here.