Born in1990, Shenyang, China. Lives and works in Beijing
Liu Silin is a multidisciplinary artist whose innovative practice spans photography, digital art, installation, and performance. Her work critically engages with themes of identity, history, and cultural memory, often questioning the boundaries between reality and fiction, personal and universal, and public and private. Through her artistic alter ego, Céline Liu, she creates thought-provoking narratives that challenge societal conventions and encourage active audience participation.
Selected Works and Project
I’m Everywhere Liu Silin’s *I’m Everywhere* series explores the relationship between history and identity. She digitally inserts her alter ego, Céline Liu, into historical photographs, appearing alongside iconic figures such as Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol. Each meticulously crafted image interrogates the concept of cultural globalization and icon worship while reimagining historical moments through a contemporary lens. This project earned the “Discovery Award” at the *Jimei x Arles International Photography Season* in 2016 and was featured at *Rencontres d’Arles* in 2017.
Appme In *Appme*, Liu blends personal and collective identities through the use of a selfie app. By superimposing herself into templates of people from different eras and adding her own templates to the app, she invites audiences to co-create narratives with Céline Liu, blurring the boundaries between creator, participant, and artwork.
Siren In this performance series, Liu collaborates with people from diverse backgrounds, capturing them lip-synching siren sounds. This project emphasizes the universality of voice and expression, aligning with Liu’s belief that “everyone should have the right to speak up and the awareness to do so.”
Liu Silin’s work deconstructs traditional notions of art and challenges elitism in the art world. By exploring "image worship" and the commodification of culture, she reflects on how mass media and digital technologies shape historical narratives and individual identities. Her art invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of authenticity, cultural icons, and the digital age’s influence on storytelling.
Through projects like *I’m Everywhere*, Liu examines the roles of photography, media, and public participation in the construction of history. Her works highlight the permeability of time, space, and culture, offering a nuanced perspective on globalized identity.
- *I’m Everywhere* - Discovery Award, *Jimei x Arles International Photography Season*, 2016; *Rencontres d’Arles*, 2017
- *reGeneration3* - Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2015
Liu Silin is a groundbreaking artist whose works bridge history, identity, and digital culture. Her ability to merge humor with critical reflection makes her a compelling voice in contemporary art. By positioning her alter ego, Céline Liu, as a medium for exploring complex themes, she creates art that resonates deeply with global audiences and sparks dialogue across cultural and historical boundaries.
Andy Warhol & Celine Liu I, 2014
Diana Spencer & Celine Liu, 2014
For more information about her works.
