Artist Interview: Yaning Liu

​Yaning Liu is an interdisciplinary artist from China, born in 2001.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Crafts from Beijing Union University and a Master’s degree in Jewellery and Metal from the Royal College of Art in the UK.

For Liu, art is deeply rooted in everyday life. He uses ordinary objects as his artistic language, drawing key inspiration from the interaction and feedback between people and everyday items. His work explores the intrinsic identity, emotions, materials, functions, and symbolic meanings of objects, encouraging a re-evaluation of humanity’s relationship with the world. He creates spaces for an equal dialogue between humans and the environment.

Liu’s artistic practice spans jewellery, objects, sculpture, and photography, and his works have been exhibited globally.

This project, titled See it, Say it, Sort it?, combines craft with photography to explore the coexistence of humans and natural resources. In the creation process, the natural element of wood repeatedly appears as a direct source of inspiration, symbolizing the current focus on nature and sustainability issues.

The artist uses satire and humour, incorporating overused wood from everyday life, to highlight how individual actions affect nature and its resources. His works express concern over the continuous exploitation of natural resources.

In these pieces, bark is pulled from a tissue box, nails are hammered in reverse into a mallet, and environmentalists wear badges made of wood. These seemingly absurd actions reflect the reality of contemporary society.

Although we know we need to protect the environment, are aware of the benefits of sustainability, and can identify and discuss the problems, have we truly solved them?

Through his artwork, Liu prompts reflection on the relationship between society and nature. Despite modern society’s increasing attention to environmental issues, there is still a long way to go. The theme of See it, Say it, Sort it? raises the question: “Have we seen it, spoken about it, and solved it yet?” People are focusing on and discussing these matters, but real solutions remain elusive.

Destructive behaviour towards nature persists, and the artist highlights this through his bold, thought-provoking work.

By deconstructing and reinterpreting the materials and uses of everyday items, Liu brings out their essential nature. Using humour and satire, he challenges viewers to question modern environmental issues, encouraging deeper thinking about sustainability and the human-nature relationship.

The exhibition encourages the audience to reflect on the symbolic meanings and uses of objects, fostering a more profound connection with sustainability and nature.

Two pieces from the See it, Say it, Sort it? series, Return the Hammer and The Environmentalists’ Medal, were exhibited at the London Design Festival. Both works were reserved by anonymous collectors during the exhibition, priced at £780 and £580 respectively.

As an artist with a strong sense of social responsibility, Liu believes that art should not only express the individual. Artists have a duty to respond to societal and cultural issues, sparking reflection and thought. Today’s artists should be attentive to current events, respond to social phenomena, and express their support or criticism.

Artists’ works must resonate with the audience while offering new ways of thinking about the future. The theme of ‘Natural Utopia’ emphasizes the harmony between humanity and nature, proposing new aesthetic questions. Through his art, Liu calls for greater environmental awareness, advocating for a sustainable future and the realization of a true natural utopia.

Awards and Recognition

• Selected for Romania Jewellery Week 2024.
• Chosen for the 2024 Galerie Marzee International Graduation Show, one of the most important exhibitions for emerging jewellery and metalwork artists globally.

Media Coverage

Featured in an online article and interview with Current Obsession Mag.