YIU KWAN KIT ELLEN (Hong Kong)
makes work as if she is culturally foraging. She tends to go for things rather frozen in time, inspired by Taoism and Dadaism, and the vitality of primitive and craft objects. Her work celebrates the whimsical aspects of life drawn from her own experiences; they both obey the conventions of genre and parody them. Shaped by her conservative upbringing and ongoing battles with chronic illness, her work confronts themes of insecurity and vulnerability.She views her work as essentially uncategorisable, exploring various themes in miniature formats. Her work is intruiging, as they are diverse in theme, scale and medium. The playful use of exceptional materials merges with her ability to express stories through combing different techniques, such as embroidery, woodwork and other labour-intensive techniques. Her vulnerable and sensitive installations appeal to the viewer’s sense in many respects: visually, emotionally and tactically. Nurtured by her experiences in free-flowing Saori weaving, she imbibes fluidity and expressiveness in her works, blending it with unconventional elements such as hair, medication and plant materials, with a focus on sustainability and organic materials.
Currently her work is Fluxus-inspired; her practise explores art intended for the audience of one. Moving between mediums organically, she works primarily with textile, wood, miniatures, drawing and installation. Her works serve as a meditation on human resilience and healing, delving into the fragility, complexity and strangeness of life through personal experiences and the application of traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist philosophy and spirituality through diverse symbolism and storytelling.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, she is certified in the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® method, The GYROTONIC® method is a comprehensive training system founded on the principles of yoga, dance, swimming and martial arts.
She is constantly learning and her passions extend to the world of holistic healing, well-designed multifunctional objects, an appreciation for footwear, and the quest for the perfect paper.
EDUCATION & RESIDENCIES
2017-2021 Bachelor in Fine Arts, Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, Netherlands
2021 Destillaat #23, Extrapool, Nijmegen
2018-2019 Arts, Media & Society double degree certificate, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
2016-2017 Art Foundation, Paris College of Art, Paris, France
CONTACT
GYROTONIC® is a registered trademark of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and is used with their permission
EXHIBITIONS & FAIRS
2024 ∙ ‘This world and the Next’, Willem Twee Kunstruimte, Den Bosch, NL
2024 ∙ Prospects, Art Rotterdam, Van Nelle Fabriek, Rotterdam, NL
2023 ∙ New Perspectives, Unfair23, Amsterdam, NL
2023 ∙ How small can you go summer expo, The Tiny Art Gallery in Ruis, Nijmegen, NL
2023 ∙ constructs of dwelling, R.S.O.L, Deventer, NL
2022 ∙This Art Fair, De Kromhouthal, Amsterdam, NL
2022 ∙The rest of it is stillness, Positions, Stroom, The Hague, NL
2022 ∙Take my home away, Pulchri Studios, The Hague, NL
2022 ∙OBJECT Rotterdam, HAKA-gebouw, NL
2022 ∙Limburg Biennale #2, Marres, Maastricht, NL
2021 ∙Finding Home, Late at Tate Britain: Life Between Islands, Tate Britain, UK
2021 ∙Drawing Appreciation Day, Hoogtij #66, …ism project space, The Hague, NL
2021 ∙Royal Academy of Art The Hague Graduation Show, NL
2021 ∙Art Show in a Caravan, Atelier Marin de Jong, Rotterdam, NL
2021 ∙AIR, Hoogtij #64 Projektruimte WEST END, The Hague, NL, curated by Annemieke Louwerens, group
2021 ∙The Tiny Art Gallery, 2nd Edition, The Hague, NL
2020 ∙A Finger in Every Pie, Jupiterkade 2, The Hague, NL
2019 ∙Deep Fried, Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, NL
2018 ∙Blood, Guts & Torture, Grafische Werkplaats, The Hague, NL
COLLECTIONS
2023 ∙Echoes of Touch: A Tactile Exploration (2019), Gouda, Netherlands
2021 ∙Heaven closes at 5, textile, private collection, Melbourne, AUS
2021 ∙Writing with light, sculpture, private, Rotterdam, NL
2021 ∙In my Hand a Miniature, publication, Nuweland Gallery, NL
2021 ∙In my Hand a Miniature, publication, SinArts Gallery, NL
2021 ∙Fermented peach and carrot, publication, private, Hong Kong
PUBLICATIONS
2023 ∙Love after Love
2021 ∙Page Not Found, consigned
2020 ∙Jewel Paper Club #1, #2, #3, run by Sophia Wester
2020 ∙Drawing to Feel Good! Publication (Digital Version)
COMMISSIONS
2021 ∙Musée Légitime hat building with pockets, Martin la Roche, supported by Mondriaan Fonds
2021 ∙Oscar the deer dress, private client, Wassenaar, cultural foundation from the Deer House and Bakershagen Estate
2020 ∙Cantique des Cantiques book-binding restoration, Henri Matisse, 1st edition, private client
2020 ∙‘Shut up’ copper and resin jewellery set, private client
2020 ∙Freud’s Bridge, ink drawings of local flowers, handcarved frames, private client
GRANTS & AWARDS
2022 ∙Mondriaan Fonds, Artist Start Investment
2021 ∙Winner of Stroom Encouragement Award
2021 ∙Nominated BA Fine Arts Department Award
2018 ∙Winner of Eurostar Competition, hosted by Central Saint Martins and Paris College of Art