Winner Exhibition | MetaU Art 2023 International Competition

Winner Exhibition | MetaU Art 2023 International Competition

We invite you to explore a collection of captivating intersections of culture, form, and style from the winners of MetaU Art 2023 International Competition. Through the artworks, you will witness a dynamic dialogue between diverse traditions, the fluidity of ever-evolving forms, and the courageous exploration of bold artistic expressions from young talented artists globally.
MetaU Art launched its inaugural art competition in September 2023 to discover, recognize and support emerging young artists internationally. The Jury Committee concludes the contest with eight remarkable 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize winners, with works spanning diverse art practices. Through this exhibition of the winning artists, we aim to recognize their talents as well as to introduce their artistic endeavors to our audience worldwide.
1st Prize Winner | Natália Junasová
Natália Junasová , b.1990, Slovak. Junasová graduated from Dezider Kardoš Private Conservatory of Applied Art in Topoľčanys, Slovakia. Junasova's distinctive style features highly abstracted compositions, often consisting of simplified object outlines rendered with bold linear strokes and expressive hues. Her artworks investigate microbiological relationships, the functioning of various phenomena in the world.
Natália Junasová, Bubbles (left), Cell Formation (right), 2022, Acrylic on Canvas, 70 x 50 cm
In her 2023 work Earth's Attraction, Natália Junasová carries the connection of the earth with herself, where the cells of the earth indicates the birth of life. In the creation process, she delves into the intricacies of microbiological relationships and the dynamics of worldly phenomena, all while paying homage to ancient cultures and their enduring legacies. Her art explores human curiosity and societal dynamics, scrutinizing the fabric of consumerism and social interactions.
Natália Junasová, Earth's Attraction, 2023, Acrylic on Canvas, 120 x 140 cm
1st Prize Winner | Shuo Phoebe Li
Shuo Phoebe Li, b. 2004, grew up in Hong Kong, is currently studying Art at UCLA. Phoebe is engaged in exploring new and dynamic art forms, aiming to transcend the limitations of traditional media. Her focus is on integrating multiple media, including but not limited to installation, sculpture, performance art, and video.
Shuo Phoebe Li, The Garden of Eden, 2022, Video, Duration: 1:41
Phoebe Li's artwork is a byproduct of life, leaving physical traces of their reflections during life's journey. Her artworks express societal problems and phenomena, such as the relationship between individuals and society, and spirituality. By combining multiple media, Phoebe creates a unique field and space in real life. This invites the audience to explore deep-rooted problems hidden within our contemporary social context.
Shuo Phoebe Li, The Imprisoned Belief, 2022, Installation, performance, video, 150 x 150 x 300 cm
The series of oil painting "Who's the Goldfish?" revolves around goldfish and women and explores the relationship between seeing and being seen in a patriarchal system. Li's art recognizes the importance of social relevant and impact despite being a form of personal expression.
Shuo Phoebe Li, Who's the Goldfish?-3, 2022, Oil on Canvas, 40 × 60 cm
2nd Prize Winner | Anastasiia Motina
Anastasiia Motina, b. 1998, Russia. Motina graduated from Moscow State Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov in 2022. Her artwork merges realism and surrealism. Employing classical oil painting techniques, Motina intertwines contemporary themes with historical nuances, crafting a bridge between the past and present. Her art captures fleeting moments that reveal a distinctive and perhaps unparalleled melding of space and time, showcasing her unique perspective and innovative approach to art.
In "Life in Pink," Motina crafts a portrayal of an idyllic world where life is effortless and joyous, devoid of the complexities and challenges of reality. The painting features a perfect child in a perfect setting, engrossed in the simple pleasure of blowing soap bubbles that carry away the burdens and fears of the real world. Through this enchanting scene, Motina invites viewers to momentarily escape into a realm of pure bliss and innocence aside from the mundane everyday life.
Anastasiia Motina, Life in Pink, 2023, Oil on Canvas, 90 × 75 cm
Anastasiia Motina, office, 2023, oil on canvas, 110 x 80 cm
2nd Prize Winner | Anai Salem
Anai Salem, b. 1998, Israeli-French artist. Salem is a multidisciplinary artist working in various disciplines including sculpture, video, performance, drawing and installation. Anai Salem's work is a combination of sculpture and ready-made elements that are distorted into unrecognizable forms. This intriguing juxtaposition challenges the familiar, causing it to lose its known purpose and shape and transform into something entirely new.
The sculpture-installation project Fireflies is inspired by Didi-Huberman's "Survival of the Fireflies". It utilized the sparkle of fireflies as a metaphor for resilience, passion, and humanity, particularly in the face of challenging and immoral periods. The sculptures were made from scotch dish-scrubbing sponges standing on floor lamps and radiating their luminance above sculptures constructed from garden fences, adorned with blue synthetic grass sewn onto metal and plaster cast.
Anai Salem, Images-Fireflies, 2023, Sculpture Installations, 155-165 x 40 x 40 cm
Anai Salem, Among Friends, 2022, Mixed Media on Canvas, 50 x 40 cm
2nd Prize Winner | Ayana Gordon
Ayana Gordon, b. 1998, US. Ayana is an Antiguan-Haitian photographer and multimedia artist. Based in Baltimore and New York, Ayana's artistic journey began three years ago as a self-taught artist. She has quickly gained acclaim for her rich textures and captivating compositions that celebrate identity and culture. Gordon ventures into the complexity of identity and culture through careful composition, styling, and narrative in her photos.
In her 2023 series "Positions of Power," Gordon explores her Haitian identity by reinterpreting iconic figures such as Neg Mawon and Toussaint Louverture, symbols of resistance and freedom in Haitian culture. This series is a contemporary reimagining that connects the historical struggles for liberation with present-day narratives, emphasizing the ongoing fight for equality and representation. Gordon strives to honor her cultural heritage, and contributes to diversity and representation in art.
Ayana Gordon, Positions of Power: Side A, 2023, Photography, 16 × 20 in
3rd Prize Winner | Dmytro Geshengorin
Dmytro Geshengorin, b.1988, Germany. Geshengorin is a Street & Wildlife Photographer. His cinematic images capture the essence of urban life, the vibrancy of street scenes and the beauty of the wild.
The artwork The Last Supper was created with the inspiration from Dortmund, Germany, a city in decay. Dortmund was the industrial center of Germany in the past, but all the factories and coal mines were closed and abondoned years ago. Dmytro Geshengorin shot this recreation of da Vinci's painting in an abandoned factory building in Dortmund, Germany.
Dmytro Geshengorin, The Last Supper No. 1, 2023, Archival Print, 180 x 68 cm
Dmytro Geshengorin, Flying with Carlos, 2023, Archival Print, 60 x 90 cm
Dmytro Geshengorin, Havana Morning, 2023, Archival Print, 60 x 90 cm
3rd Prize Winner | Seonyoung Lee
Seonyoung Lee , b. 1988, Korea. Lee is a weaver, designer and installation artist based in Chicago, IL. She received her master’s degree in fashion and fiber within the Fashion, Body and Garment at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Seongyoung Lee engages with ideas about vulnerability regarding her personal discomfort with skin type, using soft materials to weave and mend while exploring the idea of vulnerability.
The installation "weird skin project" is inspired by the artist's personal discomfort of the skin type. Seonyoung Lee focuses on the dimensions of time and space through weaving, transcending the confines of the usual rectangular weaving loom. Using the wall, ceiling, and the floor, this space transforms into a dynamic, three dimensional weaving loom and serves as the exhibition space for the artwork.
Seonyoung Lee, Weird Skin Project _immersive, 2023, yarn, linen fabric, ribbon, 124 x 106 x 48 in
Diverse fluffy, bumpy textures symbolize an array of scars and wounds. Flat wall pieces undergo metamorphosis, turning into a garmentlike piece. This transformation expresses not only her complicated emotions toward the vulnerability, but also a visual metaphor of overcoming negative emotions.
Seonyoung Lee, Weird Skin Project _scar ii, 2023, yarn, linen fabric, ribbon, rope, 76 x 90 in
Weird Skin Project _transform, 2022, yarn, linen fabric, ribbon, 45” x 36”(wall) | 16” x 56”(body)
3rd Prize Winner | Xu Shuai
Xu Shuai, b. 1995, China. Xu Shuai is an artist based in Los Angeles, United States. He holds Master of Fine Arts from Claremont Graduate Universit, California. Xu Shuai's work delves into the realms of dreams, the subconscious, alternate dimensions, and the cosmos. The artist employs a diverse range of mediums, including oil painting, installations, and land art, striving to explore the intricate connections between human perception and the vastness of the universe.
Xu Shuai, Land Art, 2021, 500x500x200 cm
Xu Shuai, 3C 66B, Installation, 2021, Black Soil, Shipping Container, LEGO etc.
In Xu's artistic practice, the circle symbol frequently appears as a representation of the invisible world that he explores. The circle serves as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life, the wholeness of the universe, and the infinite possibilities of the unknown. Xu draws inspiration from both ancient and contemporary human cosmologies, incorporating them into his visual language to create a unique depiction of the world as he perceives it.
Xu Shuai, HE0450-2958, 2023, Oil on Canvas, 31.5 x 31.5 in
In this exhibition, we not only celebrate the exceptional and innovative artworks from our winners but also the spirit of artistic exploration that drives the future of art forward. These artists, with their diverse backgrounds and unique approaches, embody the essence of contemporary art's ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.
By showcasing their work, MetaU Art hopes to inspire audiences worldwide and foster a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of art from the young artists. We are proud to support these emerging talents and look forward to their continued growth and impact on the global art scene.
Artists Contact List
Natália Junasová www.nataliajunasova.sk Instagram : @anjelske_obrazy_angel_art_lia Shuo Phoebe Li http://www.phoebeli.net/ Instagram: @shuo.phoebe Anastasiia Motina Instagram: @motinaasia Anai Salem https://www.anaisalem.com/ Instagram: @anai_salem Ayana Gordon https://ayanagordon.com/ Instagram:@byayanag Dmytro Geshengorin https://www.dima-photos.de/ Instagram: @dima_ges_ Seonyoung Lee Instagram:@leeesy_maria Xu Shuai https://www.shuai-xu.com/ Instagram: @xushuai_studio