The Art of Emili Yi: Mind, Material, Manifestation

by Emili Yi

Watercolor Emotion Series

The Watercolor Emotion Series aims to explore the relationship between emotion, color, shape, and context through water media.

“Optimistic Thought,” Watercolor, 30cm X 40cm

“Emotional Man,” Watercolor, 30cm X 40 cm

Mind Manifestation Series

The Mind Manifestation Series comprises a collection of paintings that were started and completed during the summer of 2013 using watercolors and charcoal. The inspiration for this body of work stems from the Emili’s exploration of the relationship between mind, image and actionable experience within material existence.

“Mind,” Watercolor and Charcoal, 30cm X 30cm

“Mind 2,” Watercolor and Charcoal, 30cm X 30cm

“Mind 3,” Watercolor and Charcoal, 30cm X 30cm

Expressive Symbolism

“Caged Dancer,” Digital Media (Acrylic), 15″ X 15″

“Caged Dancer” uses symbolism, a diverse color palette and fluid line stroke to express a story of irony and confined fancy. It marks Emili’s first work since emigrating to the United States and in digital media.

“Red,” Digital Media (Acrylic), 15″ X 15″

“Red” is an exploration of emotion expressed in symbol and color to represent context, mood and atmosphere.

Visual Syntax Series

“Visual Syntax,” Digital Media (Acrylic), 15″ X 15″

“Visual Syntax” is an abstract painting which contemplates the evolving function of human visual syntactic processes during a time of emerging information and media technologies.

“Escapade,” Digital Media (Acrylic), 15″ X 15″

“Escapade” continues to explore human mindscape in a time of transition. The image presents a visual landscape rich in organic shapes and colors inspired from nature. The aim of the image is to present an abstract concept based created from shapes inspired from nature and contrasts from that of mathematical abstraction and straight line.

Watercolor Bodies

These images work to present the human figure through color and the virtues of watercolor media.

“Watercolor Body 1,” Watercolor, 30cm X 30 cm

“Watercolor Body 2,” Watercolor, 30cm X 30 cm

“Watercolor Body 3,” Watercolor, 30cm X 30cm

Homage to Picasso

“Bullfight,” Watercolor, 160cm X 110 cm

“Bullfight” was created to pay homage to Pablo Picasso during Emili’s Junior year in art school.

Photo Realism

“Woman,” Digital Media (Acrylic), 32″ X 24″

“Woman” demonstrates Emili’s skill sets in Portraiture work.

“Leopard,” Digital Media (Acrylic), 24″ X 16″

“Leopard” demonstrates Emili’s skill-sets in Portraiture work and photo-realism.

Emili Yi was born in Liaoning, China February 24, 1987. At an early age Emili displayed artistic ability and was enrolled into a private art school by her parents at the age of six. In 2001, Emili trained under the tutelage of Professor Song Wei who is a practicing professor at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts and widely recognized as a wood-block painting and print master. In 2007, Emili studied at the Yi Yuan Private Art Academy and in 2008 enrolled into the Northeast University Fine Arts Program. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Major in Oil Painting. Emili moved to the United States on July 4, 2013 and currently lives in Walnut Creek, CA.

Website: http://www.emiliyi.com/

Twitter: @emili_yi

Facebook: Emili Yi