In addition to the visual impact of his works, Yi’s works also play an important role in shaping the viewer’s experience. His titles, often drawn from everyday life, are carefully chosen to stimulate thought and create an open dialogue between text and image. His titles add a layer of meaning to the otherwise abstract composition, suggesting a narrative without prescribing a specific interpretation. As Yi explains, “Typically, the title comes first—before the brush touches the canvas. I collect phrases from everyday life that strike me and record them as sensory fragments. I treat these titles as part of the work, ensuring that they function as more than just labels.”
I see these animals as reflections of human ambition, with their bodies becoming sites for projecting desires. ”
This approach emphasizes Yi’s belief in the power of words to add depth and complexity to visual art. The title does not provide a clear context or explanation for the image, but rather serves as a subtle provocation, inviting the viewer to engage with the painting on a deeper, more introspective level. This relationship between image and text reflects Yi’s broader artistic philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of questioning existing structures and embracing uncertainty.
A recurring theme in Yi’s work is the depiction of animals. Animals like apes and dogs—which have historically been objects of scientific research for the study of anatomy and the advancement of space exploration—serve as metaphors for humanity’s speculative future. “I see these animals as reflections of human ambition, and their bodies become sites for projecting desires,” he said. The repeated presentation of primates, with their similar physical characteristics to humans, creates a feeling of both familiarity and alienation, evoking the past and future of human evolution.
Through her treatment of primates, Yi invites viewers to confront anxieties surrounding human progress, identity, and reproduction. The presence of multiple eyes, fragmented body parts and disjointed limbs is unsettling, creating a sense of discomfort that reflects the fragmented state of the modern world. Yi’s primates, like his human figures, resist easy categorization and symbolize the ambiguity and uncertainty of contemporary existence.
The scale of Yi’s paintings is another key element of his practice. His works are often large and the canvases are filled with intricate details that require close inspection. As Yi explains, “The scale of my works is determined by the degree of manipulation and transformation the image undergoes during the preliminary drawing stage. I do not adhere to fixed dimensions, but structure the composition according to the requirements of the work.” The sheer size of his paintings amplifies the sensory impact of the fragmented figures, immersing the viewer in a world of visual dissonance.
Yi’s work often resembles digital or AI-generated art, raising questions about his relationship with technology and artificial intelligence. Yi acknowledges the influence of digital aesthetics on his work, but is clear that his practice has more to do with “structuralist and deconstructive approaches” than digital art. He said: “Although my work does not directly involve artificial intelligence or digital technology, it is impossible to completely escape the influence of modern technological aesthetics. Digital art is a natural evolution of artistic practice, just like Dadaism embraced mechanical reproduction. I respect it as an integral part of contemporary visual culture.”
