Art
Artist Trevor Yeung’s ode to plant life and cruising culture
Trevor Yeung’s work has always been about control, he says – and plants. The artist, who describes himself as a horticulturalist, links these concerns to a secret fish tank he kept as a child, and later to the carnivorous plants he grew at university because pets were forbidden in his student accommodation. ‘I learned how important it was to provide the right conditions to sustain life,’ Yeung recalls in his Hong Kong studio, which is filled with palms, small trees, and shrubs. ‘Being aware of this power started to shape me.’
Yeung made his first plant work in 2011, just after graduation: an installation designed to grow a Venus flytrap, which requires a lot of attention, he’s quick to mention, since they’re picky about water and deplete their finite energy reserves whenever their jaws open and snap shut. Cutely titled I could be a good boyfriend, the plant was housed in a bell jar, which encased the microcosm Yeung produced for life to grow while highlighting his containment of that life as a result. Care thus transforms into authority or guardianship, depending on your perspective. That tension charges Yeung’s work, which isn’t about plants so much as it is about living within relational systems – something the artist will explicitly explore in his first institutional show in the UK, slated to open at London’s Gasworks on September 28, 2023.
Read more: https://www.artbasel.com/stories/trevor-yeung-ode-plant-life-crusing-culture
Recently, a vibrant array of potted flowers in various shapes and colors greeted visitors at the Chongqing Zoo, capturing the attention of everyone entering the zoo.
“I’ve been looking forward to this exhibition for a long time,” said Ms. Li, a local resident. “I heard there would be many exquisite floral arrangements and potted plants, so I rushed to bring my family here as soon as it opened. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the New Year and soak in some artistic atmosphere!”
Read more: https://www.cqnews.net/1/detail/1324322687267987456/app/content_1324322687267987456.html
Gabriel Martinez talks with Robert Boyd about Charles Burns, Gary Panter, and the art of underground comics.
“The publishing industry doesn’t work the way the art industry does. You have a royalty system. Whereas if you resell a painting, unless you’re in California, the artist doesn’t get anything.”
To play the podcast, click on the orange play button below. You can also find Glasstire on Apple Podcasts and on Spotify.
Read more: https://glasstire.com/2024/09/22/art-dirt-robert-boyd-on-the-art-of-underground-comics/
The Literature and Language Reading Room is what I would consider a semi-hidden gem amidst the physical spaces that make up UIUC’s massive and impressive library. Lined with massive windows and perimeter bookshelves, it’s difficult to physically miss. However, to gain the full aesthetic experience, one needs to linger. Understandably, this is a difficult task for a busy student. Trust me…I know. However, if you feel the time has finally come to check it out, I highly encourage you to drop in while the newest exhibit, Image + Verse: Poetry Inspired by Art, is still on display.
As both an art and poetry enthusiast, it felt like a dream come true to hear about the library’s collection being highlighted in this way. Two glass cases greeted me at the entrance, and I immediately spotted a few of my favorite collections bookmarked and propped open. Reading the familiar words in tandem with the art displays warmed my heart. The affection of the curator for art and poetry also seemed to be on full display. I couldn’t help but wonder more about their ideas and inspirations.
Read more: https://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/the-art-of-poetry-on-display-at-the-university-of-illinois/
