Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yuntong (Momo) Wu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yuntong (Momo), appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Project 1: In collaboration with Paul Williams Gallery, we launched a community project that provided free painting classes to children who live in the community of downtown Ontario. This initiative offered a creative outlet for the kids and culminated in hosting an exhibition to showcase their artwork. The project fostered a sense of accomplishment and pride among the young participants, while also bringing art closer to the community. It was an enriching experience that highlighted the importance of accessible art education and celebrated the children’s creativity and hard work through a public exhibition, making art an inclusive and communal experience.

Project 2: The installation, Displaced, conceived during an artist residency at the Grünewald Guild investigates the incongruousness and insulation of communication. Two poems written distinctively in modern English and in modern Chinese are transformed into Runes and pictographs, and sewed on two scrims. The way that Runes from the early Middle Ages and pictographs from ancient China appear in an American town confounds times and spaces. They are alien and loud. The black-and-white color and the shape of scrim and ring are understated and concise. The translucent fabric interacts with nature (water, light, wind, etc.) around it.

The poems of this installation are not readable, yet the purpose of words is to be read. We cannot understand the words; our forebears cannot understand what the words convey. Words are primarily abstract, and created essentially for communication. However, as literary history moving on, time creates the invisible obstruction between us and the old languages which we had been using constantly. The installation is trying to communicate with this familiar strangeness through time.

Yuntong (Momo), love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I moved to the United States in 2012 and started my career in 2019 after graduating with an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. My journey in the art world has been quite varied, including directing exhibitions at the Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Ontario, CA, and launching Ginkgo Art Gallery. This online gallery I started in 2022 aims to spotlight contemporary artists from the greater LA area. I’m passionate about supporting both emerging and established talents through online solo and group exhibitions, offering catalogs for each and helping to knit closer ties within the artist community.

My work has also led me to manage The Progress Gallery in Pomona, CA, teach art, and participate in mural projects in Palo Alto. I’ve curated exhibitions like “Breaking Boundaries” and “The Realm of Possibilities,” which have allowed me to present thought-provoking artworks. My own art, showcased in solo exhibitions such as “Cycles of Cosmos,” reflects my deep dive into universal themes. Beyond these exhibitions, I’ve been involved in public art initiatives and educational talks. I see myself as an artist and curator committed to making art more accessible and engaging for everyone.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspects of being both an artist and a curator lie in the completion of an art piece and attending the opening of a show.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

My view on NFTs leans towards the negative, focusing on practical and ethical concerns. Firstly, they often turn art into a speculative market, where the value is more about investment returns than artistic merit. This can overshadow the true essence of art as a form of expression and connection. Secondly, the environmental impact of maintaining blockchain technology, which NFTs rely on, is significant. It consumes a lot of energy, contributing to environmental issues. Lastly, the hype around NFTs might not be sustainable in the long term, potentially leading to a bubble that could harm artists and buyers alike.

Contact Info:

• Website: ginkgoartgallery.org, yuntongwuart.com
• Instagram: Ginkgoartgallery, Yuntongwu_Momo
• Youtube: Ginkgo Art Gallery

Image Credits
Yuntong (MOMO) Wu