Seeing the World in a Flower : Taipei City

Yang, Yong-Liang

Yang Yongliang specializes in taking seemingly conflicting elements and fusing them to harmonious effect. Executing multifaceted works incorporating photography, video, installation and painting. With consummate skill in manipulating imagery, Yang marshals the various elements into a balanced and controlled rhythm while blazing innovative new trails that turn conventional notions of artistic expression on their heads. Yang's works have been widely collected by major museums and galleries throughout the world.

The four photographic works comprising his Taipei series were commissioned by Humble House Taipei. Yang traveled extensively throughout Taipei taking photos of the city then, borrowing from a passage from Buddhist scripture -- “to see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower, in a tree a wellspring of life will bring serenity to your side” – he used his cityscape images into the blossom of the blooming flowers. At first glance, they appear to merely be images of four beautiful flowers; on closer inspection, you'll find concealed images of a vibrant, dynamic city. The artist's approach in presenting the beauty of the city is rather elegant without losing its sense of humor. One also senses the abiding love the artist as for his city.