Artist statement

Yeok is a visual artist who considers herself a “story teller”. She documents her real life events in the form of surreal fantasies. Using the written words as the raw material for her visual works, she creates 2D and 3D works and site specific installations. Her current favourite mediums is acrylic, her works often express her view on political and social issues.

Bio

Yeok is a traditionally trained artist who lives and works in Melbourne, Australia. She learned how to draw and paint in an art institution in China throughout Her childhood. Graduated from Monash University as a multimedia designer, Yeok was working as a commercial graphic/web designer and marketing consultant before she launched her art career in 2012. In Nov 2013, Yeok’s debut solo show “In search of happiness” instantly gathered attention from local art enthusiasts.  She continues her journey in Nov 2014 with her second solo exhibition “A walk on the dark side”, it told the story of her 12 months journey in the form of a surreal fantasy.

Her works have appeared on major newspaper, magazine covers, and art publications. She writes a blog and produce videos titled “Artwalk with Yeok”. The blog/vlog allows general public having a peek into Melbourne art scene.

Yeok (Yiyi Wang) is also active in start up community. In 2014, she co-founded Tripalocal, an exciting startup concept that connects travellers with local hosts for authentic local experiences. She was subsequently named in “The Top 50 Female Entrepreneurs Under 40” by Startup Daily. She is always interested in changing how creatives work through tech innovations.

 

Artist CV

Yeok, born in 1984, Shanghai. Currently lives in Melbourne, Australia

Summary

1990 Attended first fine art class in Shanghai
2002 Moved to Melbourne, Australia
2006 Graduated from Multimedia & Digital Art, from Monash University
2007 Started working as a multimedia designer
2013 First solo show “In search of Happiness” at Off the Kerb Gallery
2014 Launched Actionroom TV, an online video platform contains 30+ video interviews conducted with artists and creatives from varies disciplines including fine art, graphic design, film & interactive design. These interviews focused on the business models of creative individuals.
2014 Co-founded Tripalocal, a startup concept that connects travellers with local hosts for authentic local experiences. She was subsequently named in “The Top 50 Female Entrepreneurs Under 40” by Startup Daily. It had secured $850,000 in an angel funding round in 2015 to expand to China.
2018 Co-founded a game development studio to work on its first indie title.

Artshows

31 Jul – 6 Aug 2017 Business as usual, live art on pavement 3D painting, Station st, Frankston (Commissioned by Vic Road)
21-27 April 2017 Youth, Off the kerb (Group show)
21 Mar 2015 Grrl Fest, Northcote Town Hall (Group show)
21 – 30 Nov 2014 A walk on the dark side, House of Bricks Gallery (Solo show)
21 May 2014 Story of a secret state, Wesley Conference centre Sydney, as part of North Korean Human Rights Week (Group show)
6 May – 16 Jun 2014 Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition (Finalist, Highly commended)
11 – 24 Apr 2014 CREATurE Show – Off the Kerb’s 7th Birthday Show For charity – beyond blue (Group show)
21 Jan – 4 Feb 2014 Toy to the world Exhibition/Auction, ArtBoy Gallery (Group show)
12 Dec 2013 – 25 Jan 2014 Belle Arti Art Award 2013, Chapman & Bailey
1 – 14 Nov 2013 In search of happiness, Off the Kerb Gallery (Solo show)
23 Oct 2013 ‘Dress to Impress’ annual appeal & gala fundraiser, Smart Artz (Auction)
6 Sep – 16 Oct 2013 Hall of mirrors, Art at 1 Spring Street (Group show)
6 Sep 2013 Happy 2nd Birthday, House of Bricks (Group Show)
25 – 30 Aug 2013 Live painting, Stripfest St Kilda (Festival)
11 Jul 2013 Small works small spaces, Northern exposure (Festival)
28 Jun 2013 “Sweet Dishes” live performance at Channel G, Westspace (Group show)
4 – 18 Apr 2013 Men with beard, Off the kerb (Group show)
21 Mar – Jul 2013 Time and tide, Toyota Community Spirit Gallery (Finalist)
1 Mar – 30 Apr 2013 Pimp my M.U.F.4 Exhibition of custom painted ukuleles, Bar 303 (Group show)
15 Jan – 4 Feb 2013 Toy to the world Exhibition/Auction, Art at 1 Spring Street (Group show)
12 Dec 2012 – 26 Jan 2013 Belle Arti Art Award 2012, Chapman & Bailey
22 Oct – 12 Nov 2010 Black & White vs Colour, Off the kerb
26 Apr – 9th May 2010 Story of a secret state, Guildford Lane Gallery

Press & Publications

Nov 2015 Street Art: Australia by Lou Chamberlin
Oct 2014 Artwork “Rose walk” selected to appear on an Avant Card (15,000 copies national release)
Ongoing feature at allthoseshapes.com Web
21 Feb 2014 Featured in the “Visual Arousal” column of  Vulture Magazine Web
Nov 2013 Artwork selected to appear on an Avant Card as part of ‘Art Card Series’ (15,000 copies national release)
Nov 2013 Artwork featured in The Red Book by Stupid Krap, Analogue/Digital Creative Conferences and Blurb Books. Print
Nov 2013 Crisp Magazine Interview Online
Oct  2013 Selected artworks featured in Catapult Art Mag Vol. 26 Digital / Print
Sep 2013 Artwork “Strawberry head” on the cover of Trouble Magazine Online
31 Jul 2013 Street art vandals can’t beat Yeok, Northcote leader/Herald Sun Print
25 Jul 2013 Rainbow rethink after art vandal attacks, samesame.com.au, by Matt Akersten
23 Jul 2013 Giant gay kiss poster beside church, samesame.com.au, by Matt Akersten
Mar 2013 Time and tide exhibition catalog
9 Jun 2012 Child’s play for adults – The Sydney Morning Herald, by Megan Johnston Print / Online

Public Speaking

8 Nov 2010 November Triple Treat, IGDA Melbourne
1 Sep 2010 First five out: Against the clock, AGDA

Awards

Jun 2014 Highly commended – Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition 2014
Dec 2012 Highly commended – 2013 cover competition, Art Prize Australia
Nov 2006 Best folio Bachelor of Multimedia & Digital Arts, Multimedia & Digital art, Monash University

Education

2004 – 2006 Bachelor of Multimedia and Digital Arts, Monash University