Between: An Exploration of Identity Beyond Boundaries

My work seeks to challenge binary thinking—the tendency to divide the world into opposing categories, such as male and female, black and white, reality and fantasy. I reject this rigid framework and refuse to be confined by society’s stereotypical definitions of gender and identity. Though I occupy a gendered position, I do not wish to be labeled or subsumed under any predetermined expectation. For this reason, my art practice attempts to construct a fluid, undefined, and open space of identity—one that can be reshaped, explored, and reinterpreted, rather than imposed.

Vanishing Bodies: Rootlessness and a State of Limbo

In my “Between” series, figures often lack a complete body, existing in an unfinished, liminal state. This not only symbolizes the body’s inherent ambiguity but also reflects the uncertainty of identity and the loss of belonging. These figures drift beyond established boundaries, neither fitting into traditional gender categories nor conforming to society’s fixed notions of identity. Such rootlessness comes from my long-held feelings—questioning my own identity, wavering in my sense of belonging, and continually probing my existence. I hope viewers will see not just a physical form but also sense the way these figures transcend gender and evade any rigid definition of self.

Blending Identities: Reconstructing Faces and Objects

In this series, I merge faces with objects to blur traditional gender associations. For example, certain elements culturally regarded as “masculine”—such as architecture, machinery, or rigid structures—intertwine with those viewed as “feminine,” including flowers, textiles, or flowing water. By weaving these elements together, I seek to undermine the preconceived meanings society has assigned to them. My goal is to offer a visual experience poised between reality and surreality—seemingly recognizable yet subtly dissonant—existing outside of familiar categories and forming a new mode of being.

Ambiguity and Emotional Tension: A Visual Language

My visual approach emphasizes ambiguity and emotional tension. Through my choices of color, brushwork, and spatial composition, I aim to evoke an atmosphere that feels both intimate and alien, unstable yet charged. In these works, gendered markers are deconstructed or even dissolved, leaving only residual emotion and an indescribable presence. This ambiguity permeates the entire artwork, extending to the viewer’s process of interpretation—each individual is invited to draw from personal experience and develop a unique reading of the piece.

Between: Constructing a Fluid Identity in the In-Between

“Between” is not solely about gender fluidity; it is a reconsideration of the very essence of identity. I hope this series will inspire viewers to question established cognitive frameworks and challenge society’s rigid definitions of self. Within “Between,” identity is neither singular nor static but instead remains in constant evolution. Here, one may linger at the edges without being categorized or confined, existing freely and openly, continually growing and expanding.

  Yan Xinzhu

                                      2025.03.14