Xiaoyun Gong

Artist Statement:

I am a mathematician and an artist. Mathematics is my vision, and Art is my language. My eyes see conjuring patterns and meticulous logic, and I want to voice them within my artworks. The subjects of my artworks revolve around my opinions, from nondescript daily routines to topics that arise discussion in a lively fashion, like the current pandemic. Similar to Post-Impressionist pointillist art pieces, I find out the best way to draw an image with color and pattern. However, instead of paint, I use mathematical optimization, an interdisciplinary field that lies within the intersection of mathematics and computer science. With the help of computer programming, I can explore different shapes and patterns that suit my subject matter.

My recent works are about memories. Memories are about neurons and nerves, yet it is the beginning point of the future. As scientific as it is, memories are brimming with poetic sentiment. When viewing my work from afar, the viewerʼs mind and eye blur the patterns together to create detailed images, comprising a fuller range of tones than the patterns provide alone. When looking closely, strikes and curves will lead the viewer to another level of experience. 0 and 1ʼs are programmed and stored in hard drives measured by bytes, yet which byte captures the scent, color, and feeling of that particular moment?