Galaxia Wang – « New Heads – Fondation BNP Paribas Art Awards »

Interview with Galaxia Wang, voted as a winner at the “New Heads -Fondation BNP Paribas Art Awards” by the employees of BNP Paribas (Switzerland) SA.

Galaxia Wang, born on 6 February 1990 in China, is a synesthetic artist. He came to Geneva three years ago to study for a Master’s in Fine Arts at the Geneva School of Art and Design.

How did you first get into art? Tell us about your three key moments on your journey.

Observing

I first came to art through drawing when I was five and a half. It was my way of recording what I saw around me, and improving my natural observation. I realised that I was a hunter, trapping images from my life.

Translating synaesthesia

I have synaesthesia, which means I see shapes, hear musical notes and perceive smells and tastes as colours. I’ve tried to convey all my feelings and develop a system based on my perception of the correspondence between things.

Thinking and travelling

I’m a born traveller. I move around every five years to inject new energy into my life. Sharing my travel experiences and thoughts about my art is something I’m always keen to do.

Galaxia Wang’s installation

What inspires you as an artist?

I like artists who can convey their inner complexity, who reveal the structure of their thinking and build some kind of analogical system. I’m thinking for example of Luigi Serafini and his Codex Seraphinianus, the encyclopaedia of an imaginary world in contemporary art, but also of Frédéric Bruly Bouabré and his work on language invented by analogy, the symbols in analogy and the meaning of drawings.

What does Geneva represent for you?

For me, Geneva means the source of water.

To my mind, Geneva opens up a space where people can cultivate and broaden their minds. Lake Geneva is like a mirror which stores my collected emotions and helps me listen to my inner voice. This city is the constant to-ing and fro-ing of men and women, a melting pot, a collection of nations and languages. It’s the richness of international culture. I’ve learned many things and improved my art here. Geneva has opened up opportunities for me in art!

What are your next projects, in the months ahead?

I’m going to continue my research into the analogy between science, mythology and synaesthesia so I can produce my works of art. In February, I’ll be starting a residence in the Geneva Contemporary Art Centre, where I’ll be working on a project combining documentary and installation. And then I’m going to prepare my exhibition which will be in the same building in May.

« Inner Pangea », Galaxia Wang