White Dew First Pentad, Dew glistens white on grass
photography
42 x 29.7 cm
Xiayi Su
As an artist specialising in fine art photography, I often find myself in a peculiar position. This stems from the status of photography in the contemporary art scene. Although its merit as a form of art is now acknowledged, photography is still navigating its way to stand alongside traditional mediums like painting and sculpture. Within the context of photography, art photography finds itself on the cusp, closest to the art spectrum. Consequently, my work is positioned as the “Other” relative to traditional art forms and concurrently occupies a marginalised status within the domain of photography. Navigating my niche in these circumstances has been challenging, with rejection being a recurring theme throughout my artistic journey.
The Salon des Refusés in Paris, 1863, marked a pivotal moment when artists challenged the prevailing art discourse and reclaimed their influence. Salon de Refusés in krautART ARTspace, 2024, resonates with this rebellious spirit, transforming rejection into reinterpretation and prompting a critical reflection on the entrenched art system and its standards. Furthermore, the exhibition’s feminist narrative is profound. It sheds light on the fact that gender inequality in the arts remains pertinent, especially for an Asian women artist like myself, where the challenges of gender intersect with race. This is exactly what this exhibition aims to do: amplifying the voices of these “invisible artists”.
On a personal note, while rejection is undoubtedly disheartening, which has also forged my resilience. I have never been more committed to what I do, and I view each exhibition as a precious opportunity to connect with the audience. On a broader scale, the history of art is a testament to continual revolution against its predecessors. Perhaps, facing rejection is merely a sign of being ahead of one’s time, a precursor to the next artistic breakthrough.
– Xiayi Su
Xiayi Su’s Twilight Photography
Xiayi Su, a Chinese artist hailing from London, has submitted a compelling series of photographs to the Salon de Refusées: “White Dew First Pentad, Dew glistens white on grass” and “Great Snow First Pentad, Cold sets in, Winter begins”
Great Snow First Pentad, Cold sets in, Winter begins
photography
42 x 29.7 cm
Su’s work, characterized by its dark and abstract nature, invites viewers into a moonlit exploration of the thresholds between the visible and the invisible. Through her lens, Su captures the enigmatic transition from day to night, crafting images that evoke the profound subtleties of twilight. Her photographs are a meditation on the ephemeral and eternal, serving as windows to forgotten dreams and doors to undiscovered worlds, asking us to contemplate the profound cycles of nature and existence.
SALON DE REFUSÉES
The "Salon de Refusées" is an art initiative inspired by the historic 1863 Paris exhibition. It's a platform celebrating female (read) artists who've faced rejection, turning exclusion into empowerment. Our project is dedicated to showcasing art in its most authentic form, creating a space where diverse voices and stories are seen and revered. Join us in this artistic uprising, where each piece adds to our resilience and the unyielding spirit of creativity.