The unique career of Hong Kong-born artist Tim Yip

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Tim Yip is an award winning visual artist who has contributed a unique visual style to the worlds of theater, dance, art and film.

He has worked with many prominent film directors and artists around the world, and is an Academy Award winning art director.

Yip began his career as an art director for director John Woo’s Hong Kong classic gangster film, “A Better Tomorrow.”

From there, Yip became a prominent art director, costume designer and production designer in film productions and operas in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

A still from "A Better Tomorrow."/CGTN Photo

Tim Yip has held many exhibitions showcasing his costumes, photographs, installations and videos around the world. Featured in these exhibitions is his muse Lili: A fiberglass mannequin that Yip brings to different places around the globe.

All across Asia and Europe, Yip places Lili in various locations and has the mannequin engage in social activities in bars, restaurants or on the street.

Yip has also introduced his concept of “New Orientalism,” which has spanned across films, dance, theater and opera, and is about communicating the ideas and aesthetics of Chinese culture to an international audience.

In 1999, Tim Yip collaborated with acclaimed director Ang Lee in the martial arts blockbuster, “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.” The film was a global box office success and won many awards, including winning Yip an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.

A still from "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon."/CGTN Photo

In addition to cinema, Tim Yip has been a strong presence on the stage. He has been the set and costume designer of many productions with award winning British dancer and choreographer Akram Khan, and was the set and costume designer for the San Francisco Opera’s production of “Dream of the Red Chamber.”

CGTN caught up with Yip at his studio in Beijing to discuss his career. Catch the full interview at 17:30 BJT on Sept. 9th on ICON at CGTN and CGTN.com.

Tim Yip./CGTN Photo