Yang Yi's creative path
It was an unexpected journey that inspired Yang Yi to become an artist. Yang Yi was born in Shiyan, a city in central China. Since the 1970s, Shiyan has had a booming automobile manufacturing industry and has been called the "Detroit of China. Like most people in this small town, Yang Yi's parents worked in the automotive industry.
As a child, Yang Yi grew up amidst piles of car parts. Every day, he stayed in the family garage, and when his parents were at work, he was in the warehouse of the automobile factory. Car parts became the best toys he ever owned as a child and occupy a large part of his childhood memories. Unlike many kids in his small town, Yang Yi liked to spend time drawing at home. From the time he was 5 years old, his mother sent him to painting classes, which set the stage for his entry into the art industry. From the age of 5 to 18, he received formal art training in sketching and oil painting, and his dream at that time was to become a painter.
During his first year of study at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, he decided to create a Transformer sculpture for himself. This idea had been deep in his mind since his childhood was spent playing with car parts and watching Transformers cartoons. In his first attempt, he created a 2-meter tall Optimus Prime using a paper cutter and foam. What he didn't know was that the work he created to realize his childhood idea was extremely popular in his community. A local movie theater invited him to display his work in the lobby and in return he received 50 free movie tickets. This creation and the unexpected result inspired his passion and confidence for more sculpture.
2008, the first Transformers production
Yang Yi's dream of creating a sculpture began with this 2-meter-high PVC foam Transformers sculpture.
2009, Optimus Prime
It is 12 meters high, all metal, and made from recycled truck parts. it was exhibited at the National Stadium of China (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) in 2010.
2010, Hornet
It is 3 meters tall and made from recycled car parts. 2011, it was exhibited in Beijing's 798 Art District.
2012-2014, Drunken Jackie Chan
In 2014, Yang Yi created Drunken - Jackie Chan. It is 6 meters high and weighs 3 tons. It is made from recycled car parts.
The inspiration for making this sculpture came from Brother Jackie Chan's landmark movie Drunken Fist. Traditional Chinese kung fu and dragon culture influenced the shape of this sculpture.
Brother Jackie Chan has a permanent collection of this sculpture in his art farm.
Jackie Chan's big brother, Yang Yi and Joey Fong at Jackie Chan's 60th birthday party.
2014, Optimus Prime
Yang Yi was invited by Audi to exhibit his sculptures in Beijing alongside Audi's latest supercar.
2013-2017, Marshall Alan
Marshall Alan is 4 meters tall and weighs 2.4 tons. It is made from recycled car parts and world-class tycoon and collector Alan Gibbs has this piece in his sculpture park.
Marshall Alan took Yang Yi more than eight months to complete. Prior to this lengthy process, Yang Yi spent over four years thinking about and designing the structure, obtaining information and interviewing Mr. Alan Gibbs.
This sculpture documents Alan Gibbs' life achievements and honors through the image of a wild cowboy. Currently Marshall Alan is part of the permanent collection at Gibbs Farm, the largest private sculpture park in the world.
Alan Gibbs and Yang Yi
