Artist 江峰 Jiang Feng
江峰 Jiang Feng is a non-gendered and multi-disciplinary Taiwanese artist working across-genres in movement/dance, theatre, performance art, voice, text, modelling, film, photography, and theory. Feng has earned a Foreign Languages and Literatures & Chinese Literature (Double major) B.A. from the National Taiwan University in Taiwan as well as a Performance and Performance Studies M.F.A. from Pratt Institute in New York City. Feng’s performance works have been shown in Taiwan, the U.S., Germany, Ireland, Bulgaria, Singapore, and Hungary in various artistic scenarios and mediums. In describing the ideology of his work, they simply said that it is "Family-unfriendly”.
“U.S. (Unwholesome Shelter)” By 江峰 Jiang Feng (2nd Place Winner 2nd Edition)
Photography
2019
This series juxtaposes the torn and dirty USian flag with the naked bodies of all genders, races, sexuality, nationality, and cultural backgrounds. I am interested in critiquing the United States as the dreamland and shelter for people and immigrants. The U.S. was alleged to be the most open and tolerant country but it fails to welcome people from various backgrounds equally. This series aims to document and capture people's bodies, their vulnerability, emotions, and strength through/with the cut USian flag.
Feng’s introduction into the artistic world was first through street dance, before evolving into modern, contemporary and then ballet. At the time, Feng believed that dance was the was to enter his own creative space. He explained this by saying, “I felt that dance opened up first my body and, at the same time, my mind. I gained a surge of creativity, expressivity, and passion for art and creation back then because I finally felt that I breathe and release.”
“U.S. (Unwholesome Shelter)” By 江峰 Jiang Feng
Photography
2019
Evolving even further, Feng moved from dance to other mediums like performance art, text, film, photography, modelling, and theory. However, regardless of medium, Feng’s artwork usually address the general issues of the body and its complexity and sociality. He/They continuously aspires “to be an artist, and, most importantly, a creative and expressive being, who maneuvers the mediums but is not controlled and obsessed with them.”
“U.S. (Unwholesome Shelter)” By 江峰 Jiang Feng
Photography
2019
When asked about the inspirations behind his work, Feng simply said that it was social and political incidents, before elaborating that “There is so much inequality but also beauty in life, intertwined together around and within me. When I see and feel something, I flow it out.”
When the in inspiration has dried up Feng sees that as an opportunity to research, read and study. To overcome the pesky creative block he/they says this, “I read many kinds of books, literature, feminism, philosophy, sociology, and anthropology, basically anything about humanities and social science. To me, the thing that really differentiates people and artists is their thinking. Hence, reading is a must for me because it helps me to reflect and replenish my interiority. In addition, discussing and reasoning with wise and trustworthy friends is always inspiring and rewarding after some reading and reflecting.”
“U.S. (Unwholesome Shelter)” By 江峰 Jiang Feng
Photography
2019
Lastly, but most importantly, Feng leaves us with advice that he has come to learn through his artistic journey, “Trust your intuition and instinct. That's what makes you special, something purely raw and earnest. Read (well, I sound like a nerd, but maybe a lively and lovely one) because many people stop learning after graduating from school. Moreover, it really helps me to see and address things from different perspectives than mine. Say yes to all kinds of chances and opportunities, and no to forms and standards.”
To see more of 江峰 Jiang Feng’s work :