Valery Guo

Valery guo

After living in China for 15 years, Valery Guo moved to Paris in 2019.

He then began an artistic reflection on the birthplace of Gwaii. Gwaii has a short lifespan. It originates by capturing the oxygen around it, instantly inflates and then expands briefly, finally petrifying in seconds. The creative ritual is repeated until the Gwaii reaches full maturity, and then ends with its embalming in a concrete shell.

Emerging from a liquid matrix, the Gwaii takes its first breath at birth. Feeding on oxygen, it grows neatly developing its own nature and personality. As it spans the stages of life, Gwaii finds its uniqueness through a series of transformations. Gravity gives its beauty and curves.

Experiences, scars and wounds mark his skin. Cherished flaws and teenage memories slowly shape him, creating strange grafts. When it matures, Gwaii is mummified according to ancient Egyptian rituals, forever enveloped in layers of colored concrete. At the end of the process, Gwaii is ready to find her eternal life somewhere in the outside world.

In fact three key words inspire the creation of Valery Guo: birth, bodily transformation, death.