“Millennials” having grown up in a new economic and informational environment, are subjected to the dual influences of socialism and consumerism amidst a continuous process of identification and deconstruction. They are compelled to navigate a multifaceted, complex, and fragmented world, seeking interfaces for individual expression within the interstices of these worlds. No longer do they “obediently” pretend that boundaries do not exist, maintaining the illusion of spatiotemporal unity. This experience has led Yique to adopt flexible and diverse strategies in his creative work, including but not limited to street interviews, performances, graffiti, commissioned works, forgery, and propaganda. These strategies respond to increasingly diverse spatial contexts, encompassing traditional spaces such as streets, squares, brand flagship stores, and farmlands, as well as virtual spaces produced by contemporary technology, such as the internet and social media platforms.

The artist Yique’s work responds to the global expansion of neoliberal economics. His creative themes encompass skepticism toward the value systems propagated by propaganda machines, the conflicts arising from wealth disparity, and the new class divisions triggered by technological progress. In addressing these issues, Yique draws on Henri Lefebvre’s concept of the “spatial triad”: by intervening in the space of representation (the space of lived experience) and the space of practice (the space of perceived experience), he reveals the unrealistic controlling illusions and false promises of spatial representations (planning, the spatial dictates of the “big Other”) over social order. As a result, he jokingly refers to himself as a “troublemaker”: a disruptor of the existing social order.

In 2023, a graffiti piece created by Yique on a wall in East London brought him into the spotlight, sparking widespread attention and discussion. This incident once again ignited reflections and debates on “how art can intervene in society,” and it also marked the first domestic exhibition of this work. The exhibition showcases four pieces created by Yique over the past four years, highlighting his contemplation of contemporary social issues as well as his consistent approach and expressive methods.