Man Yu
2017
1
M
an Yu is and intense, talented and dedicated artist born in Hong Kong and nationalized in Costa Rica. The figurative artwork of Man Yu reflects the most complex knowledge of the portraiture and human anatomy achieved through a highly refined technique and strict discipline, and therefore, she has managed, in a short time, to patent her name in the hyper figurative plastic Costa Rican environment. Her professional artistic training was mainly self-taught, with motivations of great artists such as Julio Escรกmez (Chilean), Nelly Eyo (Argentina), Juan Luis Rodriguez, Miguel Hernandez Bastos, Gonzalo Morales and others. International galleries in different countries have honored their space with the best of the plastic work of Man Yu, including Carrousel du Louvre, Paris. Man Yu has also won prizes in calls and exhibitions internationally renowned such as BSAS Italian Association Art Show, IX Winter Hall Gallery in Barcelona ESART, Institute of Historical Research Rocca Museum, etc.
2
However, her humanitarian trips, as a rescuer to countries suffering from natural disasters in Central and South America, the fight against global warming and for the creation of a collective conscience to help us to get out of our own microworld and allow us to think about global challenges we face as a species, are evidence that Man Yu also comes with huge record giving the best of her life in defense of others and the Global Village, leaving her mark on the way of those for whom she has been willing to offer everything in order to alleviate human pain and despair. That is why Man Yu define herself as an artist, as a humanist, someone who wants to convey sensitivity and knowledge, and thus contribute to the evolutionary process from art, as a human being. "Art is the most powerful way to move and sensitize the masses, from inside out", says the artist
3
Fire weapon. Mixed technique. 70x50 cm
The human figure through the eye of Man Yu In Man Yu's work is reflected a deep fascination for the human body, which has expressly been termed as a perfect machine. Her fascination is completely correlated with her personal search for the mysticism of the Universe, which for her is the greatest mystery that exists and transcends the physical part, because beyond paint ing bodies, Man Y u reflects the
integralities that compose it: soul, thephilosophies, ideologies, feelings, that go beyond the skin. In this way, her study propagates and branches through the physical part to penetrate each of the intangible implications of the simple fact of having a human body. "For me, the human anatomy is the most sublime and beautiful thing", makes explicit Man Yu in the program Soundtracks of Radio Universdidad.
4
Eyes. Acrylic. 70x50 cm
The red dust Each of the works incites an introspection in a spiritual level, very existential, very self-critical, that insistently tries to rescue the viewer from this density identity by society, from this illusory world, which the Chinese call The Red Dust, that which is contaminated with ephemeral happiness that does not let us know and identify us. "We are in that lifelong learning. For his part, the artist also never stops learning. The world is
very vast, the Universe, infinite. It would be very arrogant and ignorant to think that I can finish naming what I have achieved or what I lack. The path of an artist is endless. Let’s look to the great masters in the history of art: even after death, they continue to evolve, carry on their shoulders, great historical, philosophical, artistic and cultural responsibilities. You cannot be limited, you must create works of art that communicate" says Man Yu in the Costa Rica NiHao program.
5
Angelique. Acrylic. 150x150 cm
6
As part of her commitment to the messages of her art, Man Yu's more recent works have come out of the second dimension by incorporating specific elements to invite the viewer to interact with the painting. These ingredients of the composition have enriched the experience that the observers have had in witnessing the artist's works, granting them a way to connect with the message more intimately and to arrive at the introspection incited with the work of Man Yu. Man Yu deepens: "I have always thought that art, even painting, must be able to touch; let the audience feel the textures and communicate with the works beyond just looking at them". As an example of this, on the left page you can see the work "Angelique" which, when unveiled by the public is discovered as seen in the photograph on the right. In the same way happens with the work "Xue Mei", below. Both works were inspired by the Silk Road and were exhibited at the 7th Beijing International Art Biennale at the National Museum of China. Angelique (unveiled). Acrylic. 150x150 cm
Xue Mei. Acrylic. 150x150 cm
Xue Mei (unveiled). Acrylic. 150x150 cm
7
Somnolence. Oil on canvas. 91x122 cm
8
Physiognomy. Oil on canvas. 91x122 cm
9
A third opinion. Oil on canvas. 91x122 cm
10
Shopping 2. Oil on canvas. 90x120 cm
11
The left glove. Oil on canvas. 122x91 cm There are paintings and drawings that encourage a memory, illuminate an intimate space or the sensuality of a body; sometimes they look like mirrors of the world, of their things and their inhabitants. This can be understood as the real realism of Man Yu: a representation of what is out there, between things, with others. Color and line appear in each work, as the characters of the theater or those of the cinema: they imitate gestures or resemble the real, thanks to the perspective or the taste of the painter. That may be called style; and is an essential belonging. She knows it or intuits it deeply. In her paintings, the style reveals her technique and an intention of memory: to evoke that face, a body or a profile.
And we know that, although she is passionate about detail, her purposes transcend those of the copyist and those who once encouraged the hyperrealists. Above all, we know that in her fascination there is something powerful and sincere. But, in addition, there is something foreign that she looks for. It is the other. The one she has painted; or maybe the one who looks at her work and values it. A published novel also escapes its maker and becomes a legacy of all. The finished work resembles that of children. And so, we take it as the center of meaning; a source for dialogue. Man Yu knows it. That is why magic is noticed in her art. More than the product of a realistic vocation, this legacy comes from virtue and passion
Sidelong –in the mirror of her work– Man Yu allows the public to appreciate the brushstrokes of her personality. We know that she is in love with precision.
—Álvaro Zamora
12
Falling in love. Oil on canvas. 122x91 cm
The portrait portrays its era, not only the character who occupies the center of the representation; but it is also what the artist sees, his eye, the eye of subjectivity. As portraitist, Man Yu turns this condition into a wonderful imprint. I speak of wonder on purpose, because behind the precise, sometimes hyperrealistic, implacable drawing with the model, for example (in the case of "The waiting", where the wrinkles of the fabric accentuate those of the skin and, who knows, maybe announce death), there is a magnetic call, yes, as much as in that artwork of her –which forces to reorient the look– in which the woman dresses with new skin: the hand that draws the body itself is part of the drawing. In that it wonders not the recourse to the Escher, but to tell the story of the skin that is forming the tip of the pencil.
In front of these works of art, you cannot fail to see the almost expressionist color or light, the insinuating gesture of the face, those bodies that are almost surrendered, voluptuous, or the thick strokes and stains of light, the look that does not leave indifferent to the observer, the movement of the dresses: behind the brush there is always an eye that looks and directs by looking. Thanks to Man Yu for fascinating us with her creative work without rest. —Rafael Ángel Herra
13
14
The sentence. Oil on canvas. 250x148,8 cm
15
A new garment. Oil on canvas. 250x148,8 cm
16
17
The lineage. Oil on canvas. 86,5x136 cm
18
Shopping 1. Oil on canvas. 80x130 cm
19
"I never thought I would devote myself to art. It simply happened. It was a very natural process, because I wanted to express, I had a lot to say. That's why I also like to write. So that, what is short for the painting I write it, and vice versa. However, it is impossible to express everything I feel in a single painting. That's why I paint so many and with these sizes. Even so, one does not finish expressing itself. Each work is a self-portrait of what I feel about my body and I use the models as a channel to communicate. My idea is that people can feel that heaviness of the body. When they see the works, they feel some impotence of the destiny and of what they had to live. However, my artworks have the objective of making people feel a little better with their own body, knowing that with it we have a mission and that it is a privilege just to exist. Many times, I feel like an instrument of art, because I paint, I put my tools, my knowledge, my experience,
but there is also an internal force and an external force that move me so that I can create. Painting is what connects me to the outside world and connects me with myself. The five words that describe me as a human being are: Apprentice, because we are eternal apprentices, we always have to be very humble to be able to evolve; Teacher, because also after learning you have to dedicate yourself to show what you know; Spectator, since from childhood I have always felt that either being or not being on the stage we are always spectators; Interpreter, because my work is that, it is not only very beautiful to paint, but is to translate all my feelings and my inspiration through a pencil or brush; Human, precisely because I can feel what people feel, it is an empathy that every artist must have in order to create things with which others feel identified" Man Yu self-described in the short film Human.
Some eyes open. Oil on canvas. 136x86,5 cm
20
I believe that the deepest way that exists for relating to human being, is art. Man Yu's art is a constant communication with her social environment, with people, and that is the artist's mission: to externalize the image of his inner world.
What gives us the appearance as a human being is the skin, which is the limit of the space that surrounds us and our organism. —Julio Escåmez
The right glove. Oil on canvas. 20x20 cm
21
The other face. Oil on canvas. 62x75 cm
22
A total stranger. Oil on canvas. 80x120 cm
23
mentions, prizes and others 2016
Winner of the 5th edition "Women Art" of the PDME Chamber of Commerce.
2015-
Member of the Temporary Exhibitions Council of Juan Santamaría Historical and Cultural Museum.
2009
Honorable Mention in "Art Showdown Contest, A Singular Creation Art", Solitude, International. Honorable Mention at the Institute of Historical Research Rocca Museum, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2008
Honorable Mention in the "IX Winter Salon of Barcelona", ESART Gallery, Barcelona, Spain.
2007
Honorable Mention in "Show Art Association Italian BSAS", Autonomous City Buenos Aires, Argentina.
solo shows 2016
Video projection "Human Suit", University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica. "10 Years Man Yu" Retrospective, Juan Santamaría Airport, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
2015
Video projection "Human Suit", La Fortina Theater, Heredia, Costa Rica. Series “Women of the Orient”, Confucius Institute, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica. "10 Years Man Yu" Retrospective, eÑe Shop, San Jose, Costa Rica. "10 Years Man Yu" Retrospective, Club Union, San Jose, Costa Rica.
2014
"SonoRetratos", Concert and Live Art with the Cuban pianist and Latin Grammy nominee, Leonardo Gell, University of Costa Rica, María Clara Cullell Hall, Costa Rica.
2013
Series "Human Suit 1", Juan Santamaría Historical and Cultural Museum, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Video projection "Human Suit", Amon Solar Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica. Chinese Snake New Year Celebration, Tin Jo Restaurant, San Jose, Costa Rica. Series "Visions of Yesterday", Vino Mundo Restaurant, San Jose, Costa Rica.
2012
Series "Visions of Yesterday", Ramada Plaza Herradura Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica.
2011
Series "Visions of Yesterday", Barceló San Jose Palacio Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica. Series "Visions of Yesterday", VIII Congress of Professionals in Economic Sciences, Radisson Europa Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica.
2008
Series "Visions of Yesterday", Alta Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica. Series "Visions of Yesterday", House of Culture Alfredo González Flores, Heredia, Costa Rica.
2006
Series “Women of the Orient”, 1887 Lobby Gallery, National Center of Culture, CENAC, San Jose, Costa Rica. Series “Women of the Orient”, Promenade Arts Center, San Jose, Costa Rica.
24
group shows 2017
7th Edition "Beijing International Art Biennale", National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China. 3rd Edition "Itinerant exhibition URBANA" Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Real Intercontinental Hotel; Multiplaza Escazú; Lexus Tower; Multiplaza del Este; Tempo Square; Democracy Square, San Jose, Costa Rica. "Itinerant exhibition Stories of the Golden Mountain", Municipal Museum of Cartago, Cartago, Costa Rica; University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica; University of Costa Rica, Puntarenas, Costa Rica; University of Costa Rica, Limón, Costa Rica "Itinerant exhibition Rizomas", University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica; Integrated Arts School, San Jose, Costa Rica; National Bank of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica; House of Culture, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. 7th Edition “Memoria Urbana”, Casa Cultural Amón, San José, Costa Rica. “Daydreams”, AG Gallery, San José, Costa Rica. 3rd Edition “Annual exhibition of ACAV" Municipal Museum of Cartago, Cartago, Costa Rica.
2016
5th Edition "Women Art" of the PDME Chamber of Commerce, Kristal Bank, Escazú Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica. "Festival of the Ethnicities", National Center of Culture, CENAC, San Jose, Costa Rica “Transitarte”, San Jose, Costa Rica
2015
2nd Edition “Acuerdo en Desacuerdo”, National Gallery, Art City Tour November, Nuit en Blanc, San Jose, Costa Rica 5th Edition “Placerótico”, Foundation of Culture, Diffusion and Brazilian Studies, Art City Tour November, Nuit en Blanc, San Jose, Costa Rica “Rizomas”, Botica Solera, 3rd Regional Meeting of AIAP / IAA Latin America and the Caribbean, San Jose, Costa Rica "Free Collective", 7th Avenue, San Jose, Costa Rica. World Heart Day celebration, Costa Rican Heart Foundation, Mexico Hospital, San Jose, Costa Rica "The Miami Art Expo", Nina Torres, Fine Art Gallery, Miami, United States Artist Day celebration, Tempo Square, San Jose, Costa Rica
2014
"International Festival of Chinese Culture", National Stadium of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica "1st Biennale of Taza", Taza, Morocco 1st Edition "I am Woman of Peace", Costa Rica National Registry, San Jose, Costa Rica "Rizomas", Embassy of Costa Rica in Nicaragua, Managua, Costa Rica.
2013
"Contemporary International Artists of the Museum of the Americas", Carrousel Du Louvre, Paris, France Series "Visions of Yesterday", Casa Del Cuño, Antigua Custom House, San Jose, Costa Rica 1st Edition "Women Artists", Lincoln Square, San Jose, Costa Rica "Pertinent Memory" Embassy of Costa Rica in the Republic of Nicaragua, Nicaragua "Women Brasil", Broadcasting and Culture Foundation of Brazilian Studies, San Jose, Costa Rica
25
2013
"Global Art Expo" Paseo de Las Flores, Heredia, Costa Rica "Plastic Window" Juan Santamaría Historical and Cultural Museum, Alajuela, Costa Rica "Rizomas", Artist's House, San Jose, Costa Rica "Nostalgias y Experiences", Amon Cultural House, San Jose, Costa Rica Opening of the Talentum Gallery, Talentum Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica
2012
"International Festival of Arts", La Sabana, San Jose, Costa Rica "1st Symposium of Sculpture and Painting: Tribute to Sculptor Donald Jiménez", Central Park of Greece, Alajuela, Costa Rica 4th Edition "May in Green", Club Union, San Jose, Costa Rica "Under the Cedar", Metallo Studio, San Jose, Costa Rica "Expoarte", José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center, San Ramón, Costa Rica "Ist Contest of Painting", FRIENDSHIP Foundation for the Development of Costa Rican Communities, Dionisio Echeverría Theater, Café Britt, Heredia, Costa Rica
2011
Art Work Shop, Costa Rican Art Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica 3rd Edition "May in Green", Dayé Gallery, Limoncello Restaurant, San Jose, Costa Rica Opening of Casa 927, Casa 927, San Jose, Costa Rica "Tropical America Art Fair", Earth University, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Artist's Day Celebration, Guilá San Pedro, San Jose, Costa Rica "Cultural Fusion", Anthologies Restaurant, San Jose, Costa Rica
2010
"International Festival of Chinese Culture", Sophia Wanamaker Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica.
2009
"2nd Biennale of Painting and Sculpture", National Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Institute of Historical Research Rocca Museum, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2008
"9th Winter Show of Barcelona", ESART Gallery, Barcelona, Spain 2nd "Placerótico" Edition, Medrano Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica
2007
"Expoarte", Escazú, San Jose, Costa Rica "Expoarte", Real Cariari Expo Center, Heredia, Costa Rica 5th Edition "Valoarte", National Gallery, San Jose, Costa Rica "Show Art Association BSAS Italiana", Buenos Aires, Argentina "Artexpo International Artfair", Las Vegas, USA
26
Man Yu
consultancy | management | artshows | rental & sales +506 8893 0023 globalmetroart@gmail.com www.globalmetroart.com
info@manyuart.com | FB Man Yu | www.manyuart.com