That'smagazine: What do you usually choose as your subjects?

Yin Hong: I paint female figures and water. I'm from the south, so it's sort of what I remember and what I'm used to - humid weather, humid plants, and humid people. I think women represent beauty, and I'm trying to show something pure and basic. I think people are too concerned with politics and making money these days, and people don't think about pure and simple beauty. Like when I was a child, a leaf or a bird singing could make me so happy. As we get older, we lose that ability to feel that kind of simple pleasure.

That's: So what do you think about when you work?

Yin: My first priority is to move myself. If I'm not moved by something I paint, then how is a viewer going to be?

That's: What artists inspire you? Anyone contemporary?

Yin: I love Renoir. Mostly I like impressionist artists. As for contemporary art, I really don't care for it. I think a lot of people in this art circle are interested in politics and of making social commentary, but that's not what I'm interested in. Do you know the poet, Gu Chen? That's what I strive for. I want to show some deep beauty through very simple imagery that anyone can understand. A lot of contemporary artists are just kissing the west's ass. They imitate things that have already been done better in the west. And people [like performance artist Zhu Yu] eating babies? These people are filthy. I have nothing to do with these people.

That's: Is Beijing a work of art?

Yin: Of course. The whole world is a work of art.

Yin Hong has tentatively scheduled a solo exhibition at the Chuntian Haimo Gallery in Shanghai in December, though the exact date has not been confirmed as of press time. Yin also plans to publish a book next year on her own philosophy.

(that'smagazine.com November 19, 2004)