Yuan Fang Faces Illness with Quiet Power in ‘Spaying’

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Summary

  • Yuan Fang reflects on illness and identity through abstract forms and negative space in ‘Spaying’
  • Personal experience and emotional tension drive each painting

Skarstedt Chelsea unveils ‘Spaying’, which is Yuan Fang‘s second solo exhibition with them. This exhibition is inspired by Fang’s recent breast cancer diagnosis and delves into her thoughts about illness, self-image, and the multifaceted nature of womanhood through painting. In addition to large canvases, she offers smaller, more personal pieces titled “subplots,” which are snippets of a larger, private narrative.

The title hints at her background in medicine as well as the essential surgical action, which is integral to her work. By employing techniques such as layering, erasure, and refinement, Fang brings forth predominant abstract shapes that evoke human torsos. These central figures possess a robust, corporeal essence, stirring viewers with intense emotion through their powerful presence.

As a gamer putting my own spin on things, I draw inspiration from traditional Chinese art, where Fang skillfully employs negative space to accentuate what remains. Instead of rushing through my creations, I take a more contemplative path, leading to precise, intentional compositions. Sometimes, I integrate my medical imaging, just like in ‘Accumulating, Breaking Through the Defense Line’, while other times, my work mirrors the emotional strain and exhaustion that I feel.

As a gamer, I can say that ‘Spaying’ deepens Fang’s journey into understanding femininity and strength, providing instances of insight and self-empowerment.

Skarstedt
547 W 25th St.
New York, NY 10001

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2025-07-17 20:55