Wu Yanrong, Peacock Mantis Shrimp
This November, K+ turns the spotlight on up-and-coming illustrator Wu Yanrong with Marine Fantastic: An Illustrated Introduction to Crustaceans, her first-ever solo exhibition.
“When I discovered that we have only explored less than five per cent of the sea, it awakened my curiosity and I ended up making a book about it for a school project. Since then, I have been researching and painting these amazing organisms that live in our oceans.”
Wu Yanrong, Sexy Shrimp
Of particular allure to the artist are crustaceans. With their peculiar features and habits and their equally amusing nicknames, Yanrong has found crabs and shrimps to be rich fodder for her imagination and creativity.
“I find them endlessly fascinating … the creatures I am showcasing here is a mere fraction of what’s out there in the deep. Imagine what other curious things we will find when we finally move on to explore the other 95 per cent of the sea.”
A graphic designer by day, Yanrong usually paints in the quiet of the night standing up and finds that working late actually contributes to the momentum. Like the rest of her illustrations, those in Marine Fantastic are worked in traditional mediums rather than digital as she likes to be surprised by the organic process and unpredictable results. Using simple poster paint, she brings the creatures to life with bold and expressive strokes in a style that is free yet controlled.
Through her illustrations Yanrong hopes to inspire in visitors a love of marine life too, and a more thoughtful attitude towards caring for the environment at large. In addition to the original artworks on display, Yanrong will be painting a mural on-site. Limited prints of her illustrations will also be made available for pre-order.
Launch Party: Friday, 3 November 2017, 6.30pm — 9pm
Venue: K+, Scotts Square, #03-11
When: 3 Nov - 17 Dec 2017,
