Personally Speaking... Tim Yip

Tell us about your philosophy behind your art making.
I have always been curious about the possibilities in the creation of art. I am constantly searching for a breakthrough in Neo-Orientalism, to bring it into my creative world afresh. I believe things are ceaselessly changing, without any fixed forms. There are also many different sides to everything – being and nothingness are parts of a whole. This is what I wish to express.

The biggest influence on your becoming an artist and your artistic development?

I started in film before gradually crossing over to other art forms. In late 2007, when I received an invitation from the Beijing Museum of Contemporary Art, I went into the field of contemporary art fully. It gave me the opportunity to enter the world of visual art which has allowed me to discover more layers of my inner self and my perspective towards time.

What inspires or motivates you?

I gather inspiration from science and ancient Chinese philosophy. They are the single most important factors responsible for my development into the contemporary artist that I am today.

What do you love most about creating art?
I believe all human beings have a strong desire to express their emotions. It is the most fundamental instinct of all. I for one find this desire very attractive, and since I started my career in film and the performing arts, which examine the mysterious realm of human existence, I find this desire even more compelling.

What is the role of an artist in society today?
The relationship between the artists and the masses has always been a subtle one. The artist’s aesthetic should stand apart from the tastes of the masses; in addition, artists must also provide people with spiritual inspiration for their lives.

What is the most difficult experience or biggest setback?

I think it is the tendency of some artists to over-commercialise art and to blindly idolise imported fads, without any notion about exporting one’s culture. I feel these are trends which Asian countries must reverse at all costs.

Have you made any personal sacrifices for your art?

I have always been passionate about the creation of art. I am willing to spend a great deal of time in search of what I believe to be true art. This is my top priority and quest. Whether artists should suffer for their art is a difficult question to answer since different individuals face different challenges in life. I can only say that the creative artist’s sole enjoyment comes from the art itself.

Who would you like to collaborate with?

In the course of creating art, there are many opportunities to meet incredible artists and working with them is always a valuable experience. For me, there is no doubt about the value of working with masters who were able to bring out my potential and make me discover something new in myself.

What other art forms would you like to master?

I have spent many years in the performing arts, exploring design, space, movement, sound, and even text. I start creating from a single moment of pure inspiration. Wherever it takes me, I will go with it.

What does “trust” mean to you?
My art revolves around the relationship between reality and illusion. In my view, the two are like the shadow of a person, by turns tangible and elusive, trusting and distrusting. Such is the relationship among all objects in the Universe. I also believe that every relationship holds its own mysteries but if we can view it in terms of opposing foils – real vs unreal, existential vs non-existential – it will confirm our beliefs and perspectives.

原文刊於：http://www.conversasians.com.sg/blogs/-/blogs/personally-speaking-tim-yip