This year saw the debut of Know More Art; a concept set-up by Twenty Something London to support up-coming talent across the capital. In paying little attention to the background or expertise of the creator, the 300 submissions to the Inspired London competition soon became a shortlist of 35 with one key focus – genuine ability and flair. With the first series of work displayed at the Know More music and art festival at Drink, Shop & Do, the nine finalists including one winner, won a private view at FOLD Gallery, London. Sleek spoke with the winner, Taiwanese born artist Ting Cheng, about her piece Moon Walk: it’s one in a series of photographs taken of her model rolling-skating around East London pushing a cardboard moon of human-size proportions.
Could you tell us a more about your winning piece? Because I’m tiny, like most Asians, I wanted to do something huge. So I made a large moon – the biggest I could make out of cardboard. I asked my friend to push the 2D structure on the streets around Brick Lane while I took pictures. I cared about what happens in public spaces – how would the people react? When you see something surreal happen on the street you’re not sure what it’s about, you’re not sure if it’s art. “Why is a moon rolling on the street?” then becomes a performance, a sculpture, not just a photo.
Under what circumstances do you work best? I like doing things by accident and seeing something new on the way. I don’t want to plan everything because it’s no fun. Maybe you’ll meet some people to add to the experience, you just don’t know. Some artists they have a root. Maybe they just draw one thing for ten years but I can’t really do that. I have to do many things at the same time and at the end I find my specialty.
What are your future plans? Now I’m focusing on my favourite things: making clay, making bread and braiding hair. I’m looking to combine these three for my next project. I also want to do more video, seeing as I’ve already done a lot of photography. It would be more fun to have movement.
Ting Cheng was the winner of Know More “Inspired london”.
The eight other finalists, chosen by Kim Savage, director of FOLD Gallery London, are
TingTing Cheng – She Is A Rainbow
Aaron Coe – St Clemens Hospital
Abi Moulder – Look At All Those Monkeys
Georgina Bolton – Urban Tapestry
Laura Moreton – Sweet Resistance
Catherine Liu – Ink Study
Eileen Kwan – Arthur
Thomas Whitcombe – Swan