Yaya Yajie Liang's work explores the metamorphosis of the body and the potential of 'becoming animal'. From the legendary banished beast to the interpenetration of biological space, Liang interrogates how men's analogic mapping to and from animals (within imagined, lived, or taxonomic intimacies) helps us to reconsider the prescribed definition of 'humanity'. Taking inspiration from Agential Realism, Liang views painting as a movement that is constantly repeating the 'becoming'. Shifting restlessly between abstract and figurative modes, she uses improvisation to kick-start new paintings, allowing unplanned initial strokes to help dictate the works' subsequent direction.
Yaya Yajie Liang (b. 1995, Henan, China) has a BA Fine Art China Central Academy of Fine Arts (2018) and a MA Painting at Royal College of Art (2020). She is doing Ph.D. research at Royal College of Art since 2020. Yaya has been shortlisted for The Waverton Art Prize (2022). Recent exhibitions include HdM Gallery, London, UK (2022); Simon Lee Gallery, London, UK (2022); 180 The Strand, London, UK (2022); Southwark Park Galleries, London, UK (2022); YuYuan Gallery, Suzhou, China (2021); Fold Gallery, London, UK (2020); Josh Lilley's Gallery, London, UK (2020); Unit 1 Gallery, London, UK (2020). Yaya currently lives and works in London, UK.
