"Virtual Cravings" is on view from Aug 19th to Sep 17th
RYE ABOVE THE SEA
Solo Photography Exhibition of Lucas Fengzhao Xu
Yiwei Gallery is pleased to present the U.S. debut solo exhibition, "Rye Above the Sea," featuring the works of photographer Lucas Fengzhao Xu. This collection serves as a documentation of Xu's personal journey, exploring the nuances of physical and psychological displacement he experienced upon moving to the United States from China.
"Rye Above the Sea" is an intimate visual poem that reflects upon Xu's personal journey over the past ten years. Each photograph invokes emotions and together forms a narrative that illuminates his unique struggles and triumphs.
Exhibition Duration: July 22 - August 5, 2023
Opening Event: Saturday, July 22, 2-5 pm
I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff—I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the
J.D. Salinger, from the novel Catcher in the Rye
The exhibition draws inspiration from J.D. Salinger's influential novel, "Catcher in the Rye," which resonated with Xu. Salinger's use of stream of consciousness allowed readers to glimpse into the inner world of a sixteen-year-old boy, mirroring Xu's own desire to express the conflict between his inner ideals and the realities he faced. The novel also fueled Xu's determination to protect psychologically traumatized children, driving him to use photography as a medium to convey his persistence.
Through his photographs, Xu explores his psychological transition and the range of emotions he experienced as an international student in America. Nostalgia and solitude permeated his journey, and the act of capturing these moments became vital, allowing Xu to truly be present in the moment and connect with his surroundings.
Amy Bloom aptly stated, "The past is a candle at a great distance: too close to let you quit, too far to comfort you."Photography is Xu's tool to visualize the intangible gap that exists between the past and the present while bridging the realms of dreams and reality.
The exhibition consists of a diverse range of scenes, ranging from intimate and private moments to captivating public encounters, captured in both China and America. It showcases a harmonious fusion of vibrant and monochromatic compositions, reflecting the artist's incorporation of various photography forms such as digital, film, and even mobile phone photography.
Xu's experimentation with different elements infuses each photograph with a sense of puzzle-like quality, allowing them to seamlessly interconnect and weave a compelling narrative that speaks to his dreams, realities, and diaspora.
Lucas Fengzhao Yu
Lucas Fengzhao Xu is a photographer from Zhejiang (China), and now based in Los Angeles. With a double major in psychology and photography from the University of Iowa, and a master's degree from the Photography Department of Columbia College in Chicago, Xu's artistic journey is rooted in a deep understanding of human psychology. His works delve into the intricacies of light and shadow, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into his own inner world. Through these expressive elements, he unveils his inner world to viewers, evoking emotional responses and establishing a connection between the audience and his art.