In Conversation With: Jingwei Bu

Chinese Australian artist Jingwei Bu draws on a range of artistic traditions referencing both western and eastern culture to create time-based works.

How would you describe what you do to someone who hasn’t seen your art?

I make art in response to life events. Big or small life experiences are all resources for my creative actions which are usually in line with time and memory. They may be passing with time and ever-changing in space to reveal the impermanence of life. I make performative works, installation art and most recently I have explored performative videos to bring a meditative character to live performance using electronic technology including wall projectors. 

When and how did you first fall in love with art?

When I bought my first artwork with the very limited pocket money I had during high school. It was a stack of linocut prints in an art and culture centre in my hometown in China. I think they have really influenced the line drawing that is today central to my practice. Now, many years later, I have been lucky enough to travel to Potsdam, Germany to work at an artist atelier and in December of this year I will graduate from Adelaide Central School of Art. 

What does a typical day in the studio involve?

I currently work in my home studio which is quite spacious and has wonderful light. It’s big enough for me to test out body movement ideas. These movements become another way for me to draw. I usually work on a few projects at the same time, so I need a big space to spread out. I usually start with a tea ceremony which sets a base for my creativity. Then I follow my mind or intuition. I am in my most creative mode when I walk outside – on the street in the city or in nature – my brain is ignited by the organic colour and shapes. I imagine I am walking and keep walking without a destination or goal. Sometimes I recall my memory as a child wondering in the nature.

What is your subject matter?

Currently I am obsessed with exploring the notion of time – either as the subject matter or as the media for creating works. Time can be also as my collaborator. Then the subject matter is usually about small or big life events and objects. My primary medium is charcoal powder on paper. This has gradually expanded into mixed media including ink, paint, video and photography. I also use my body as a medium to address more complex philosophical themes like time, memory and culture heritage.

What is your dream artistic project?

It is an installation project I have been brewing. It involves ceramic and collected used acupuncture needles based on my recent experience of acupuncture treatment.

Pick three art world players you would like to meet.

On Kawara, Bruce Nauman and Helen Frankenthaler.

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