Feng Wei: Born in Shanghai in 1982, graduated from the first oil painting class of Shanghai Normal University Academy of Fine Arts, and is a member of the Chinese Artists Association. His current creations mainly focus on oil paintings and clay sculptures, focusing on everyday things that can be seen everywhere but are often ignored. Through the simple picture space, he can freely express his personal emotions at that moment.
01 Private white grid space
Far away from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, Xinchang Town is the hometown of artist Feng Wei, who has just moved into his new studio. Between the natural features and residential buildings, a whole small white building stands gently, exuding a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.
Q: How did you create this space?
A: From the outside to the inside, everything is based on "how to better present my works" as the main design direction.
The exterior facade is entirely white, with no unnecessary decorations. Each floor-to-ceiling window has its own order of flat squares. From a distance, it looks like a white grid, but from a closer look, it looks like a combination of multiple white grids.
The interior is a large area of white walls and clear cement, integrating exhibition hall, studio, social and rest functions, maximizing the possibility of extending the inclusion of works.
Q: As an art creator, how do you understand design?
A: There are so many good designs available now, each with its own emphasis on practicality, visual aesthetics or tactility. But for an individual, the best design must be suitable for me and make my life more pleasant.
I prefer designs that are not fancy or wordy. Furniture is more inclined to choose wood color, white, gray, and the appearance should not be too complicated. Another example is that the stairs use very thin poles, and in many places where doors should be installed, only the door frames are enough.
The overall blank space is in perfect harmony with Feng Wei's works. The village is extremely quiet. There is an empty lawn in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, and when the curtains are drawn, a completely white secret room appears. In this basically uninterrupted time and space, both creators and viewers can focus more on their respective present moments.
02 Reach the boundary between concreteness and abstraction
Appreciating Feng Wei's works requires long-term gaze, and the creation of the works also comes from inner long-term gaze. These daily things have long been internalized in Feng Wei's impressions. There is no need to compare his creations with real objects, and he can explore more diverse shapes without being constrained. This gives his works always a sense of familiar strangeness.
Q: How would you describe your creative style?
A: The scenes in daily life are the ones I am most familiar with. I borrow an object to compare with my personal state at the moment. The feelings in the work are my inner reflection at that time, and are a true expression of my personal view of life and the world.
Whether it is an oil painting or a clay sculpture, repeated stacking is like the meaning of a sentence. It takes me several times to make it clear.
Q: What new creative attempts are you making recently?
A: I was inspired by the stone bricks used for measurement during the decoration process. My recent themes are more geometric. It is more concise and expressive, and is not disturbed by the content, allowing the vision to stay in the picture. But it doesn’t reach an abstract state, like it’s suspended near the border.
03 Creation, for freedom
Feng Wei has not done much research on philosophy or religion. It would be very tiring to delve into a non-visual system. But subtle, restrained or oriental factors have always influenced him. In the coordinate system, he should be more subjective and idealistic, exploring the world based on personal will, and taking the initiative to reveal his emotions.
Q: Do you think this era can be summed up in a certain spirit?
A: This is a relatively uncertain era. We are rapidly affected by all kinds of information. It is difficult to say whether there is some common spirit at present.
My biggest feeling is that compared to the breakthrough atmosphere of the 1980s, such as anti-art in art, everyone is moving forward quickly, and now the process has become more gentle.
I don’t know if I have a breakthrough or if there will be a bigger breakthrough in the future. I pay more attention to myself and keep exploring myself.
Q: Do you think this era can be summed up in a certain spirit?
A: This is a relatively uncertain era. We are rapidly affected by all kinds of information. It is difficult to say whether there is some common spirit at present.
My biggest feeling is that compared to the breakthrough atmosphere of the 1980s, such as anti-art in art, everyone is moving forward quickly, and now the process has become more gentle.
I don’t know if I have a breakthrough or if there will be a bigger breakthrough in the future. I pay more attention to myself and keep exploring myself.
Feng Wei does not have a strong desire for breakthrough growth. For him, creation is for freedom. Every work is unknown at the beginning, and then randomness slowly turns into certainty.
This is also similar to the rhythm of his gradual change of style over the years. Only when you have reached this step can you know the possibility of the next step. People get to where they are today step by step.
Q: How do you explore yourself inwardly?
A: For me personally, it is a very subjective experience and there is no specific method. It probably means that you need to find something that you can continue to be passionate about. It must be something you are interested in, good at, and most importantly, what you need. In this way, you can always maintain curiosity and freshness when facing unknown uncertainties.
Feng Wei & Jianze
Q: What is your first impression of Jianze?
A: "Jian间" is a semi-open space in the shape of the glyph, and the rules in this space bring about the possibility of independence and self.
Jianze has a sweet and fresh taste, and the brand color exudes a light orange fragrance, which makes people feel relaxed. The shape, material and details of the furniture also echo this temperament.
*Clay sculpture works by Feng Wei, some mini versions of Jianze furniture
Q: Which of Jianze’s works do you like best?
A: The Moments Showcase is very suitable for displaying my clay sculpture works. The architectural shape is like a small space in my space. There are lights in different rooms, and it is also a piece of furniture for displaying small furniture.
Pine-Pine Sofa: Large area of color block, full of aura. There are no armrests, so the degree of freedom is very high. I can sit however I want without being regulated. It's very relaxing.
Pat-Pat Stool: The first impression is that it looks a bit like some kind of round, soft animal, but you can’t tell what kind of animal it is. It is easy to get close to people and has its own warmth. The unique shape allows it to exist independently in the space, like a cute small art installation.
Loft Square Table & Yǎng Chair: Very comfortable and smooth both visually and tactilely. Both the overall shape and details have a sense of design and modernity, without falling into the trap of convention.
“The passing seasons stand still and solidify in an instant,
I am the only one thinking,
That should be the purest moment in my life. "
Discover the mystery in everyday details,
Get a mild response from it.
Self-exploration, Jianze is with you every step of the way.
