Skip to content
SAIC CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATE WEBSITE
The Future of Our Plans: SAIC Graduate Class of 2020
Graduates
hmb
The Future of Our Plans: SAIC Graduate Class of 2020

Chenyu Lin (阿蔺)


Master of Fine Arts in Studio, Printmedia
clin17@saic.edu
alinalinalin.com

Chenyu Lin is an artist from China.
By studying at SAIC, Chenyu discovered two very important elements in his work, adaptability and humor. Chenyu often refers to himself as an artist who needs “assignments”, which is not to say that he needs external pressure in order to work, but that when the creative environment becomes very limited and concrete, he is more motivated to challenge the rules represented by “assignments”. As he says in his own statement, life is varied, his life is his art, and he loves his life. Humor, on the other hand, is Chenyu’s most powerful weapon, able to get a wider audience to accept his work and understand his creative intentions in a relaxed way.
In the current epidemic, which is shared by people around the world, Chenyu also hopes to bring a sense of joy, rather than heaviness, to the audience through his work.

Arrow-d

2020, Video, 3:44 mins.

Lately, the entire community of South Chicago has been having a light party every night at 8 o’clock. I’ve been inspired by the atmosphere a lot. I wish to join them in my way.

Since April 6th, I’ve posted sentences and images to chat with my neighbors across the street every day. I see the windows as my canvas and chatting room. Using post-it notes, I put a giant self-portrait on the window to say hello to my neighbors.

The newest project on my window is: I posted a giant banana by yellow post- its. Then I have a real banana in my apartment being recorded. I’ve followed what has happened to the real banana, replacing these yellow post-its with black ones.

Chenyu Lin (阿蔺) - Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait, 2020, Post-it notes, 36 x 60 in., Photo by Daniel Wang
Neighbourship I, 2020, Post-it notes, dimensions variable., Photo by Chenyu Lin
Neighbourship II, 2020, Post-it notes, dimensions variable., Photo by Chenyu Lin
Neighbourship III, 2020, Post-it notes, dimensions variable., Photo by Chenyu Lin
Chenyu Lin (阿蔺) - Browning Banana (document I)
Browning Banana (document I), 2020, Post-it notes, 54 x 70 in., Photo by Chenyu Lin
Chenyu Lin (阿蔺) - Browning Banana (document II)
Browning Banana (document II), 2020, Post-it notes, 54 x 70 in., Photo by Chenyu Lin
Chenyu Lin (阿蔺) - Browning Banana (document III)
Browning Banana (document III), 2020, Post-it notes, 54 x 70 in., Photo by Chenyu Lin

Life is boring.
Life is weird.
Life is fearful.
Life is unexpected.
Life is strange.
Life is 他妈的 inexplicable.

My art is my life,
I love my life.





Arrow-L
Back to group
More graduates
Arrow-R

36 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
saic.edu
exhibitions-saic@saic.edu

SAIC.EDU/SHOWS
Blick Art Materials

About SAIC
For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Learn more.

The views expressed on this website are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the position of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.


© 2025 School of the Art Institute of Chicago
thin-x
  • Tune In Archive
  • Eyes On Archive
  • Thoughts About the MFA Show
  • Thoughts About the Design Show