When Chinese artist Yansu Wang moved to Italy in 2015, she was gifted a notebook featuring a map of Milan. That seemingly simple gesture sparked a journey of creative exploration. Using recycled materials like receipts, movie tickets, brochures, and even candy wrappers, Yansu began creating a personal “Junk Journal” to document her daily life through collage.
Her work, now on display at N.51 in Milan, features an array of her vibrant pop-up books alongside new pieces crafted in collaboration with Pineider. Known for its exquisite stationery, Pineider provided its luxurious papers and notebooks, offering Yansu a unique canvas to bring her latest creations to life.
A Cultural and Historical Intersection
Collage as an art form is often associated with the early 20th century movements of Cubism, Futurism, Dadaism, Surrealism, and Pop Art. However, Yansu’s work draws on a lesser-known but equally rich tradition of collage in her native China. Paper, invented in China around 200 BCE, has long been a medium for artistic expression. By the 10th century, it was widely used in China and Japan for both practical and creative purposes.
Yansu’s exhibition also pays homage to the Bapo tradition—or “Eight Brokens”—a distinctive collage technique that emerged in mid-19th century China. Bapo compositions juxtapose torn, burned, or fragmented elements such as calligraphic texts, inscriptions, and decayed letters to deconstruct cultural symbols and provoke thought. This deeply intellectual art form, rich in symbolism, invites viewers to uncover hidden meanings, aphorisms, and wordplay embedded within its layered visuals.
Rediscovering Forgotten Narratives
The Bapo tradition was brought back into the spotlight in 2017 through an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, curated by Nancy Berliner, who described it as “a historic and radically modern-looking art form that had never been recorded.” Yansu Wang’s current work echoes this rediscovery, as she experiments with Bapo-inspired techniques to reinterpret her own visual archive.
By merging Pineider’s luxurious craftsmanship with her collage art, Yansu Wang bridges cultural and historical divides, creating a body of work that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her pieces explore the juxtaposition of words, symbols, and meanings, offering a modern lens on a timeless art form.
An Invitation to Explore
IT’S ALL PAPERWORK is more than an exhibition; it’s an invitation to reflect on the narratives hidden within the everyday and to explore how traditions can find new life in contemporary art. Whether you’re drawn by the meticulous craftsmanship of Pineider’s materials or the rich cultural history that underpins Yansu’s collages, this exhibition promises a thought-provoking journey through time, memory, and creativity.
Make sure to visit N.51 in Milan before March 16 to experience this unique artistic dialogue.