one thousand memories
Oil, acrylic and mixed media on canvas
80x120cm, 2022
Oil, acrylic and mixed media on canvas
80x120cm, 2022
Time Moves Forward
Time moves forward,
weaving threads of thought with memories of days gone by, until suddenly, there's no escape.
That moment is now, destined to become one chapter of the past, repeating endlessly.
one thousand memories
Oil, acrylic and mixed media on canvas
80x120cm, 2022
The past? What about memories? What’s done is carved into stone, immutably.
Yet, as we wander between dreams and reality, as tears give way to smiles, as disclosure enlightens the darkness, our perceptions of those past occasions shift.
Yet, as we wander between dreams and reality, as tears give way to smiles, as disclosure enlightens the darkness, our perceptions of those past occasions shift.
Time moves forward, why are we not letting go of the ashes of history as time marches on?
Immersing ourselves in the river of memory, grasping at each flow to feel the pulse of life, we come to realize, this time, for real, that “it did matter”.
Immersing ourselves in the river of memory, grasping at each flow to feel the pulse of life, we come to realize, this time, for real, that “it did matter”.
exposed
Oil and mixed media on organza
80x70cm 2023
Oil and mixed media on organza
80x70cm 2023
Time moves forward, and what may seem insignificant to outsiders can be the ghosts that haunt us most, shaping our very being.
Today’s self is but a reflection of yesterday’s, with countless untold stories waiting for us to rewrite the endings.
don't you think about me enough?
Oil and mixed media on organza
123x100cm, 2024
Oil and mixed media on organza
123x100cm, 2024
Time moves forward, a single dot evolves into a woven of experiences, connected by the lines in between.
In this complex net of existence, all the ancient pieces keep entwining in their complexity, while the path is almost sealed.
In this complex net of existence, all the ancient pieces keep entwining in their complexity, while the path is almost sealed.
It's no wonder we find ourselves asking: Is this the very beginning or the finale?
alertness
Oil and mixed media on organza
61x91cm, 2024
Oil and mixed media on organza
61x91cm, 2024
EST8: "All the memories are moist.” This movie line perfectly encapsulates the initial impression we had upon seeing your artwork. Are memory and misery inevitably intertwined? Is this the source of your creativity? As an adult in the modern society, where emotional stability is often celebrated but transparency avoided, you seem to chart a different course, prioritizing your emotions and personal expressions. Is this a form of self-therapy for you?
Amy: During my time at Goldsmiths College, I was immersed in a critical academic environment that taught me the value of sincerity and emotional expression in artistry. For me, personal emotions serve as the driving force behind my creative work. By getting myself into frustration, dealing with it and getting through it, my work born. The hardest part is to stay honest and accept my vulnerability. I believe that true creativity is all about uncertainty and surprise. If everything is already perfectly framed with a predetermined happy ending, where's the excitement? I prefer to follow the flow and embrace the unexpected. It's what lends charm and uniqueness to my work. Well, I think I can say that seeking hope and passion out of fear and desperation has always been the key balance to my practice.
EST8: Textile techniques have played a major role in your artwork, such as knitting, knotting, and embroidery over sheer fabric. Is this influenced by your interest in fashion design, or is there another layer of meaning behind it?
Amy: I do love fashion design and I've even taken some courses in the field. What I've found is that while canvas painting has its charms, it sometimes falls short in capturing the complexity and infectivity I seek in my art, so I was eager to experiment with various media such as all the above you mentioned. Ultimately, everything becomes a medium of communication, serving my purpose of self-expression and exploration of internal emotions.
Amy: During my time at Goldsmiths College, I was immersed in a critical academic environment that taught me the value of sincerity and emotional expression in artistry. For me, personal emotions serve as the driving force behind my creative work. By getting myself into frustration, dealing with it and getting through it, my work born. The hardest part is to stay honest and accept my vulnerability. I believe that true creativity is all about uncertainty and surprise. If everything is already perfectly framed with a predetermined happy ending, where's the excitement? I prefer to follow the flow and embrace the unexpected. It's what lends charm and uniqueness to my work. Well, I think I can say that seeking hope and passion out of fear and desperation has always been the key balance to my practice.
EST8: Textile techniques have played a major role in your artwork, such as knitting, knotting, and embroidery over sheer fabric. Is this influenced by your interest in fashion design, or is there another layer of meaning behind it?
Amy: I do love fashion design and I've even taken some courses in the field. What I've found is that while canvas painting has its charms, it sometimes falls short in capturing the complexity and infectivity I seek in my art, so I was eager to experiment with various media such as all the above you mentioned. Ultimately, everything becomes a medium of communication, serving my purpose of self-expression and exploration of internal emotions.
waving
Acrylic and mixed media on organza
70x90cm 2022
Acrylic and mixed media on organza
70x90cm 2022
EST8: As a full-time artist, despite the importance of self-expression, how do you find a balance between your objective emotions with a subjective group of audience?
Amy: A sincere piece of art speaks for itself. If it's born from genuine self-exploration and understanding, the audience will naturally connect with it. As I pursue the special connection, my audience is those who receive this energy, and so the bonding is nature. After all, art cannot be forced.
EST8: Using our magazine as an example, would you question yourself if you found that the audience prefers pop culture and entertainment over profound social topics?
Amy: Understanding social media dynamics and effective promotion is part of the journey. While the art market can be unpredictable, staying true to yourself and focusing on meaningful outcomes remains essential. I often struggled with social media and I even blocked myself from it every now and then, but It all came through after the work was done. Essentially, focusing on the work is the key.
EST8: When you see fellow artists in your circle advancing in the art market using different methods, what's your perspective on this?
Amy: If they're happy, that's what counts. For me, pleasure and satisfaction often come after the work is done. I don’t enjoy being too positive while working. My moods swung wildly between working in the studio and being in the public. However, as an overseas artist, I must say that there's added pressure, especially in a city like London. Nevertheless, I believe that maintaining hope is crucial for navigating the journey.
Amy: A sincere piece of art speaks for itself. If it's born from genuine self-exploration and understanding, the audience will naturally connect with it. As I pursue the special connection, my audience is those who receive this energy, and so the bonding is nature. After all, art cannot be forced.
EST8: Using our magazine as an example, would you question yourself if you found that the audience prefers pop culture and entertainment over profound social topics?
Amy: Understanding social media dynamics and effective promotion is part of the journey. While the art market can be unpredictable, staying true to yourself and focusing on meaningful outcomes remains essential. I often struggled with social media and I even blocked myself from it every now and then, but It all came through after the work was done. Essentially, focusing on the work is the key.
EST8: When you see fellow artists in your circle advancing in the art market using different methods, what's your perspective on this?
Amy: If they're happy, that's what counts. For me, pleasure and satisfaction often come after the work is done. I don’t enjoy being too positive while working. My moods swung wildly between working in the studio and being in the public. However, as an overseas artist, I must say that there's added pressure, especially in a city like London. Nevertheless, I believe that maintaining hope is crucial for navigating the journey.
orange forest
Oil and mixed media on organza
40x30cm, 2024
Oil and mixed media on organza
40x30cm, 2024
Credit
Amy Hui Li (b.1997, Guangzhou), Chinese artist who lives and works in London. She received an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art in the summer of 2023 after a BA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2020.
Li explores the body through her abstract visual language and the reflective self. Li’s biological forms evoke veins and blood vessels, exploring our hidden emotions as well as processes of self-healing and repairing. Repetitively tearing and reshaping home-made felt materials,
Li expresses fragility, brokenness and a drive towards intimacy. Varying in their opacity and texture, her paintings speak of honesty,
the exposed self and the brave act of being willing to be vulnerable. Her works seek to spark resonance and challenge the audience to self-reflect and face their inner self. By titling her work only in lowercase, she also expresses a sense of humility.
Education
2023 MA Painting, Royal College of Art
2020 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Goldsmiths, University of London
Exhibitions
2024 Worlds Beyond, Unit London, London
2023 TEN, Unit London, London
2023 Summer Graduate Show, Anise Gallery, London
2023 London Calling, Unit London, London
2023 Work on Papers, Thames-Side Studios, London
2022 Third Floor Exhibition, RCA Photography Studio, London
2022 Cast a Shadow, The Safehouse, London
2018 PALETTE PALATE, Goldsmiths Laurie Grove Small Pool, London
Content Creative: EST8 Creative
Li explores the body through her abstract visual language and the reflective self. Li’s biological forms evoke veins and blood vessels, exploring our hidden emotions as well as processes of self-healing and repairing. Repetitively tearing and reshaping home-made felt materials,
Li expresses fragility, brokenness and a drive towards intimacy. Varying in their opacity and texture, her paintings speak of honesty,
the exposed self and the brave act of being willing to be vulnerable. Her works seek to spark resonance and challenge the audience to self-reflect and face their inner self. By titling her work only in lowercase, she also expresses a sense of humility.
Education
2023 MA Painting, Royal College of Art
2020 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Goldsmiths, University of London
Exhibitions
2024 Worlds Beyond, Unit London, London
2023 TEN, Unit London, London
2023 Summer Graduate Show, Anise Gallery, London
2023 London Calling, Unit London, London
2023 Work on Papers, Thames-Side Studios, London
2022 Third Floor Exhibition, RCA Photography Studio, London
2022 Cast a Shadow, The Safehouse, London
2018 PALETTE PALATE, Goldsmiths Laurie Grove Small Pool, London
Content Creative: EST8 Creative