Text by Irina Rusinovich
How has your experience of living and working in Berlin influenced your artwork?
我在偏僻的村落生活过，也在一些不同文化背景的国际大都市生活过，柏林是我艺术大学毕业后自己粗略调查选择的城市：柏林国际化，艺术氛围浓厚，文化相对包容，几乎只要自己想要并努力再加些运气，可以接触到各种各样的人，各种层面的事物。这对我的艺术工作至关重要，我希望我艺术作品的表达是多样的，包容的，宽广的。过去的一切经历似乎都是为了现在这一刻，我积攒了很多有趣的艺术素材，现在我打算慢慢把它们消化理解好，用合适的艺术方式表达出来。
I have lived in remote villages and also in international metropolises with diverse cultural backgrounds. Berlin was a city I chose after conducting a rough investigation following my graduation from an art university. Berlin is international, with a rich artistic atmosphere and a relatively inclusive culture. As long as one desires it, puts in effort, and has a bit of luck, one can come into contact with various people and experiences on different levels. This is crucial for my artistic work. I aspire for the expression in my artwork to be diverse, inclusive, and expansive.
All of my past experiences seem to have led up to this moment. I have accumulated a plethora of fascinating artistic materials, and now I plan to slowly digest and comprehend them, expressing them in appropriate artistic ways.
© Maximilian Gödecke 2023
What role does your Chinese heritage play in your creative process?
我的中国背景文化和西方文化不同，而我有幸两者都接触到了，又因为我有特别强的好奇心，喜欢接触并尝试认真了解新事物，就有了自己独特的视角看待事物，创作作品。
Having a Chinese cultural background and exposure to Western culture, I have been fortunate enough to experience both. Additionally, due to my strong curiosity and eagerness to explore and genuinely understand new things, I have developed a unique perspective in how I perceive things and create artworks.
Are there any particular artists or movements that have inspired your work?
是的，我至今所有的成长经历，人生中发生的大事小事，接触过的人，读过的书，看到过的欣赏的艺术家的作品，都多多少少会影响我的思想并进一步影响我的艺术创作。对我影响最大的艺术家是日本漫画家：高桥留美子，我小学的时候开始接触漫画，并阅读了大量各种类型的漫画，高桥留美子的（人鱼系列）对当时还是小朋友的我震撼非常大，一下子就被她深沉又唯美的艺术表达吸引了，她有很多各种风格的作品，我印象最深刻的是这部。
Yes, all of my growth experiences, significant events in my life, the people I’ve encountered, the books I’ve read, and the artworks by artists I admire have influenced my thoughts to some extent, which in turn affects my artistic creation. The artist who has had the greatest impact on me is Rumiko Takahashi, a Japanese manga artist. I started reading manga in elementary school and delved into various genres. Takahashi’s ‚Mermaid Saga‘ series had a profound impact on me as a young child. I was instantly captivated by her deep and beautiful artistic expression. She has created many works in different styles, but this particular series left the deepest impression on me.
What message or emotion do you aim to convey in your artwork?
我的艺术作品就是我，我的经历，我的思想，我的语言，我把作品做出来就是因为我需要表达，作为群居动物人类，目前已知会思考的并唯一可以和自己的生物本能抗衡并克制的智慧生物，我和很多人一样，时常感到孤独迷茫，怀疑一切，一切都似有似无，我的艺术作品是我发出的信号，我希望找到对我好奇愿意读我并可以读懂我的同类，倾听我与我交流并互相温暖，或者在我不知道的时空给与我相似的存在一个温暖的信号，希望能让它感到不那么孤单。
My artworks are a reflection of myself, my experiences, my thoughts, and my language. I create these artworks because I need to express myself. As a social creature, human beings are currently the only known intelligent beings capable of introspection and self-restraint, constantly grappling with loneliness, confusion, and skepticism about everything. My artistic creations serve as signals that I send out, hoping to find curious individuals who are willing to read and understand me, to listen and engage in mutual warmth and communication. Alternatively, in a different time and space unknown to me, I hope to offer a warm signal to a similar presence, providing solace and making it feel less alone.
© Maximilian Gödecke 2023
How does your art address cultural differences between China and Germany?
中国的文化和德国的文化表面看来有很多不同之处，但在我眼里，人类对知识的探索，深层的思想智慧是非常相似的，造成的巨大表面不同是因为遇到的不同限制导致。对两种文化的直接接触让我更快的整合了自己对文化，人类，世界的认知。这让我的艺术作品表达可以更好的延展。
At first glance, Chinese culture and German culture may appear to have many differences, but in my eyes, the human pursuit of knowledge and profound intellectual wisdom are remarkably similar. The significant surface differences arise due to various constraints encountered. The direct exposure to these two cultures has accelerated the integration of my understanding of culture, humanity, and the world. This allows my artistic expression to extend more effectively in my artwork.
What challenges have you faced as an artist living in a foreign country?
对我自己而言问题不大，因为我喜欢新鲜事物，乐于学习，这在任何国家都可以做到。相对的对很多土生土长的传统德国人来讲，“外来移民”，”亚裔女性“ 反而更具有挑战，不过这对我来说也是在任何国家地点都一样，因为我本就喜欢并享受多样化不同的感觉，有时甚至感受到保守一些的传统气息，故意去挑衅。
For myself, it’s not a problem because I enjoy new experiences and am eager to learn, which can be achieved in any country. Conversely, for many traditional native Germans, the presence of ‚foreign immigrants‘ or ‚Asian women‘ may pose more challenges. However, for me, it’s the same in any country or location because I naturally embrace and enjoy the diversity of different experiences. Sometimes, I even deliberately provoke a more conservative traditional atmosphere.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are looking to follow in your footsteps?
首先我不建议任何人在任何事上跟谁任何人的脚步，无论何时都保持怀疑一切的心，抱着好奇心探索自己探索世界。
Firstly, I do not recommend anyone to follow in anyone else’s footsteps. Always maintain a skeptical mindset and explore yourself and the world with curiosity.
ABOUT Yan Jun White
hi@yanjunwhite.com • www.yanjunwhite.com
B I O G R A P H Y
I am a painter who studied arts at the Luxun Academy for Fine Arts in Shenyang, China. My paintings are a reflection of my versatility, as I experiment with different techniques to express my inner self. As a resident of Berlin, I am inspired by the vibrant
art scene and constantly strive to push the boundaries of my own artistic expression
1982: born in Shenyang, China, lives and works in Berlin
E D U C A T I O N
2013-2018: Luxun Academy for Fine Arts, Shenyang, China:
Bachelor Studies Fine Arts, majoring in Oil Painting, finished with a Bachelor of Arts 1997-2000: Beihong Art Middle School, Shenyang
A R T P R O J E C T S / E X H I B I T I O N S
May 2023: ‘Pelzige Freunde’, Solo Exhibition, Kiste Berlin Apr 2023: ‘Spring Group Exhibition’ 2023, lite-haus Berlin Mar 2023: ‘In Blue’ Solo Exhibition, Made In Wedding Berlin Dec 2022: Group Exhibition at Aviatrix, Berlin
Nov 2022: Lancini – Kunstgalerie, Berlin
Dec 2021: Own artwork at ‘Neunundneunzig Weihnachtskunstausstellung’ Feb 2021: Participation at exhibition at ‘Galerie Taube’, Berlin
Jan 2019: Participation at exhibition at ‘Galerie Taube’, Berlin Sep 2018: Participation at exhibition at‘Galerie Ducati’, Shenyang
Oct 2017: Participation at the exhibition of the nine most important art academies in China
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
2000-today: Free Artist, art teacher and chinese language teacher
Interview by Irina Rusinovich
Fotos © Maximilian Gödecke 2023
