AERIS Talks to Lv Yanjun about the challenges of being a hearing impaired artist, how Chinese society can become more accepting of its handicapped citizens and how he himself found freedom and success, despite being denied a higher education.
When did you discover painting?
I started learning painting when I was a child and joined a painting class in Grade 5.
How old were you when you lose the better part of your hearing?
I lost my hearing at the age of 12 and then left school. From then I mainly learned painting by myself, but was supported by parents, who wanted me to become a craftsman. I started from basic exercises and mostly painted revolutionary figures of that time.
Did growing up in the Cultural Revolution challenge your perception of art as something worth pursuing?
I do not think the Cultural Revolution affected my view of art that much – I just had to paint, there was no other choice and it was the only thing I could pursue. In this sense, there was less choice and less anxiety in making decisions perhaps than today.
How did you find the courage to continue painting, when the art college you pursued turned you away despite your strong academic record, due to your hearing impairment?
Mr. Li Xianting (栗宪庭, commonly known as “the Godfather of China’s Contemporary Art” and most influential art critic in China) recommended me to the Central Art Academy, but I was rejected as I could not listen in classes. Then Mr. Li told me that I had to study at home and maybe I could still make it. He also said that some of the professors at art college also made it by self-learning. It was harder for me to accept, because a degree at that time meant a stable job. But I had to accept it as fate and continued to study by myself.
While there must be so many challenges of being hearing-impaired, did that bring any benefits to your work and your life?
Art is to see through your eyes and to feel by your heart. This is more important to me. The most difficult thing for me is that I could not communicate with other people properly. But this means it might be easier for me to communicate with the characters in my paintings.
In what ways does having limited hearing change the way that you communicate visually?
I see things that are more innocent, more passionate, and more expressive through their eyes, which are the windows of hearts.
You have a distinct theme of strong, glamorous army women in your works. Do they empower you?
They are seductive, aren’t they?
How has Beijing’s artists’ village changed since you moved there 30 years ago? (about 10 years ago, not 30 years)
It was much quieter 10 years ago when I moved here, and much less commercial. Today it is becoming a tourist attraction like other art districts and has lost a lot of its originality. There are too many people coming in and too many construction projects.
When did you sell your first painting – and what did that feel like?
I sold some commissioned paintings over the years and mainly worked as assistant to other well-known artists. But for this series (Dressed to Kill), I sold my first painting in the summer of 2009. I was really thrilled.
Who supported you most in your career?
I had support from many friends, but of course my wife helped me the most. She is also handicapped and looked after me through all these difficult years. Without her support, I would not be able to concentrate on my work.
Currently 46 million Chinese are both handicapped and uneducated, as small local schools turn so many away out of superstition. How can attitudes towards handicapped children in China be changed?
This is a very big topic. Handicapped people in China had very little help from society, and life for them is really hard. This has not altered my determination as I see myself as a normal person. With hard work, you will be rewarded at the end. There should be more support from friends, family and the government to encourage them.
And lastly, what is your message to China’s next generation of creators?
You need some talent to be artist, of any description. But you also need guts. If you have creativity and courage, then work hard, be persistent, and you will be there.
Meet Lv Yanjun!
Join Lv Yanjun for cocktails at the opening of his solo exhibition at Wellington Gallery, G/f 36 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Opening Cocktails: Friday October 26th, from 7-10pm.
Exhibition: October 26th – November 26th