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"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu" / "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026 / Opening Reception: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, May 9th, 2026 / CCACC Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD

"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu" / "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026 / Opening Reception: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, May 9th, 2026 / CCACC Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD
May 9th - July 1st, 2026 / Opening Reception: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, May 9th, 2026 / CCACC Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD

Opening Remarks by Mrs. Rita S. Lewi, Director of CCACC Art Gallery
Opening Remarks by Mrs. Rita S. Lewi
Executive Director of CCACC
Director of CCACC Art Gallery
美京藝廊館長孫文影女士展覽開幕致言
Executive Director of CCACC
Director of CCACC Art Gallery
美京藝廊館長孫文影女士展覽開幕致言

Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich Speaks
Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich Speaks
蒙哥馬利郡郡長致辭
Marc Elrich Speaks
蒙哥馬利郡郡長致辭

Guest Speakers at Gan Yu's Solo Exhibition
Guest Speakers (from left to right) 喻幹個展特邀嘉賓:
Yang Yu, Chair of the Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs 馬里蘭州州長亞太裔事務委員會主席
Christina Poy, Administrative Director of Governor's Office of Community Initiatives 馬里蘭州州長亞太裔事務委員會行政主任
Clarence K Lam, Maryland State Senator 馬里蘭州參議員
Lily Qi, Maryland State Delegate 馬里蘭州眾議員
Maxwell Uy, Montgomery County Sheriff 蒙哥馬利郡警長
Yang Yu, Chair of the Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs 馬里蘭州州長亞太裔事務委員會主席
Christina Poy, Administrative Director of Governor's Office of Community Initiatives 馬里蘭州州長亞太裔事務委員會行政主任
Clarence K Lam, Maryland State Senator 馬里蘭州參議員
Lily Qi, Maryland State Delegate 馬里蘭州眾議員
Maxwell Uy, Montgomery County Sheriff 蒙哥馬利郡警長

Artist Gan Yu Speaks

Awards Presentation by Maryland State Senator
On behalf of the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland State Senator Clarence K Lam and Delegate Lily Qi presented awards to
Gallery Director Rita S. Lewi in recognition of their outstanding contributions to promoting Asian culture and art in the Washington,
D.C. area, and to artist Dr. Yu Gan in recognition of his artistic achievements and his accomplishments in promoting Chinese art and
art education internationally. 馬里蘭州參議員林力圖,眾議員齊麗麗代表州議會,向美京藝廊館長孫文影頒獎表彰他們在華府
地區推廣亞洲文化藝術的杰出貢獻,向藝術家喻干博士頒獎表彰他的藝術創以及在國際間推廣中國藝術及藝術教育的成就。
Gallery Director Rita S. Lewi in recognition of their outstanding contributions to promoting Asian culture and art in the Washington,
D.C. area, and to artist Dr. Yu Gan in recognition of his artistic achievements and his accomplishments in promoting Chinese art and
art education internationally. 馬里蘭州參議員林力圖,眾議員齊麗麗代表州議會,向美京藝廊館長孫文影頒獎表彰他們在華府
地區推廣亞洲文化藝術的杰出貢獻,向藝術家喻干博士頒獎表彰他的藝術創以及在國際間推廣中國藝術及藝術教育的成就。

Award Presented by Maryland State Senator Clarence K Lam
Award Presented by Maryland State Senator Clarence K Lam

“Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"
"市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
左:“華爾街日記, 2011 及 2026“選;右: “備忘錄 #1: 次貸金融危機時的華爾街大佬們肖像”
Edited · 2h
"市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
左:“華爾街日記, 2011 及 2026“選;右: “備忘錄 #1: 次貸金融危機時的華爾街大佬們肖像”
Edited · 2h

“Memorandum #1" and "Wall St. Diary, 2011-2026" Selected Works
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"
"市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
左:“華爾街日記, 2011 及 2026“選;右: “備忘錄 #1: 次貸金融危機時的華爾街大佬們肖像”
Edited · 2h
"市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
左:“華爾街日記, 2011 及 2026“選;右: “備忘錄 #1: 次貸金融危機時的華爾街大佬們肖像”
Edited · 2h

“The Dow Moments, 2025-2026”, 126 Works”
“The Dow Moments, 2025-2026”, 126 Works”, Mixed-media on paper
“道瓊斯瞬間, 2025 年至 2026 年”, 126 件作品, 紙面混合材料制作
“道瓊斯瞬間, 2025 年至 2026 年”, 126 件作品, 紙面混合材料制作

“The Dow Moments 2026”
3-Work Combination, #2
“The Dow Moments 2026”
3-Work Combination, #2
“2026 年道瓊斯瞬間”, 3 件作品組合 第 2 號
3-Work Combination, #2
“2026 年道瓊斯瞬間”, 3 件作品組合 第 2 號

“The Dow Moments 2026”
6-Work Combination, #2
“The Dow Moments 2026”
6-Work Combination, #2
“2026 年道瓊斯瞬間”, 6 件作品組合 第 2 號
6-Work Combination, #2
“2026 年道瓊斯瞬間”, 6 件作品組合 第 2 號

“The Dow Moments 2026”
3-Work Combination, #3
“The Dow Moments 2026”, 3 Panels #3
“2026 年道瓊斯瞬間”, 3 件作品組合 第 3 號
“2026 年道瓊斯瞬間”, 3 件作品組合 第 3 號

Artist Gan Yu introduces his “Wall Street Diary” Series
Artist Gan Yu introduces his “Wall Street Diary” series to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
藝術家喻干向蒙哥馬利郡郡長 Marc Elrich 介紹:“華爾街日記”系列
藝術家喻干向蒙哥馬利郡郡長 Marc Elrich 介紹:“華爾街日記”系列

Artist Gan Yu introduces his “Wall Street Diary” Series

Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"
"市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
左:“華爾街日記, 2011 及 2026“選;右: “備忘錄 #1: 次貸金融危機時的華爾街大佬們肖像”
"市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
Left: Selected works of “Wall Street Diary 2011 and 2026”, Right: “Memorandum #1: the Wall St. Tycoons from 2009 to 2011”
左:“華爾街日記, 2011 及 2026“選;右: “備忘錄 #1: 次貸金融危機時的華爾街大佬們肖像”

“The Dow Moments, 2007-2012”, 40 Works”, Mixed-media on paper
“道瓊斯瞬間, 2007 年至 2012 年”, 40 件作品, 紙面混合材料制作
Edited · 1d
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“The Dow Moments, 2007-2012”, 40 Works”, Mixed-media on paper
“道瓊斯瞬間, 2007 年至 2012 年”, 40 件作品, 紙面混合材料制作
Edited · 1d
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“The Dow Moments, 2007-2012”, 40 Works”, Mixed-media on paper
“道瓊斯瞬間, 2007 年至 2012 年”, 40 件作品, 紙面混合材料制作
Edited · 1d

“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。

Visitor puts comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
Visitor puts comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
本次展覽開幕式上,歡眾在畫面里留言。
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
Visitor puts comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
本次展覽開幕式上,歡眾在畫面里留言。

Visitors put comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich writes comments and reflections on a canvas.
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。馬里蘭州蒙哥馬利郡郡長 Marc Elrich 在畫布上寫評論與感想。
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich writes comments and reflections on a canvas.
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。馬里蘭州蒙哥馬利郡郡長 Marc Elrich 在畫布上寫評論與感想。

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich writes comments and reflections on a canvas.
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich writes comments and reflections on a canvas.
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。馬里蘭州蒙哥馬利郡郡長 Marc Elrich 在畫布上寫評論與感想。
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich writes comments and reflections on a canvas.
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。馬里蘭州蒙哥馬利郡郡長 Marc Elrich 在畫布上寫評論與感想。

Visitors write comments on “A Moving Mountain"
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
Visitors write comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
本次展覽開幕式上,歡眾在畫面里留言。
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
Visitors write comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
本次展覽開幕式上,歡眾在畫面里留言。

Visitors write comments on “A Moving Mountain"
"Market Forces and Cultural Identity: The Art of Dr. Gan Yu"/ "市埸驅動與文化認同: 喻幹博士藝術展"
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
Visitors write comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
本次展覽開幕式上,歡眾在畫面里留言。
May 9th - July 1st, 2026
Opening Reception:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 9th, 2026
CCACC Gallery
“A Moving Mountain: Dow Jones’ first Decade of the 21st Century (2000–2009)”, Ink on canvas with varies pen writings, 2010-now
30” x 240”/ 30” x 24” each panel
Ink on canvas with varies pen writings
2010-2011, USA
“一座移動的山: 道瓊斯在 21 世紀裏的第一個 10 年 (2000-2009)”, 畫布水墨及不同語言文字的觀眾感想,2010 年至今。
Visitors write comments on the canvas at the opening ceremony
本次展覽開幕式上,歡眾在畫面里留言。

"The GameStop Mania" Series #1 - #3: Sky is our limit, Falling from the sky, Swimmer
"The GameStop Mania #1-#3: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.

"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.

Multimedia Presentation: "The GameStop Mania"
"The GameStop Mania #1-#3: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.

Multimedia Presentation: "The GameStop Mania"
"The GameStop Mania #1-#3: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
"The GameStop Mania #1: Sky is Our Limit "
48” x 96” (121.9 cm x 243.8 cm) / 48” x 24” (243 cm x 61 cm) each panel, Sculptural relief + ink and mixed-media on canvas, 2021, USA
"散户奇观 #1: 天空是我们的极限", 4件, 2021年
Description
“The GameStop Mania” series consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
consists of three groups of paintings that present GameStop’s brutal 2021 trading moments and its broad social impact. This project visually revealed that speculative trade in the stock market has become lots of people’s routine life during the pandemic; and is another symptom of COVID-19.
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
2. “Falling from the Sky”
3. “Swimmer”
------------------------------------
1. “Sky is Our Limit”
“The GameStop Mania” depicts an ephemeral beauty of the trading patterns of GameStop in the US stock market and a tremendous power behind the activities. It evokes the speculative sentiments of the market with a realistic trading line that reflects some of the footprints of GameStop (GME) stock trading actions. The financial markets now offer a chance for combat as well as entertainment. This is closely related to the resurgence of the retail investors and the new form of technology that helps to gamify the financial industry, especially in the pandemic period. Artistically, this project was executed, with mixed or even conflicting mediums, such as Chinese ink and Western acrylic on canvas, to present a turbulent and transient sentiment, such as greedy and fear. Another unique feature of this project was to use the embossed and sunken method on a flat painting surface. This can physically stretch the flat 2-dimensional painting surface of canvas to a much wider multi-dimensional space (2 1/2” from the top to bottom).
“Sky is Our Limit” visualized the explosive battles between individuals and institutions, outsiders and insiders, smart and supposedly “brainless” people. In order to convey the complexity and dynamism of the GameStop performance and its impact inside and outside the financial market, Gan Yu used 5-day GameStop (GME) trading charts from the last week of January to the first week of February 2021, to create shapes of visually moving mountains imprinted by a sudden decline or climb of the real GME market movement from these days. This work pictorially illustrated a collective interpretation of society and economy from both the scattered individuals and institutional investors in every strata of society. Artist Gan Yu personally involved and experienced the GameStop actual trading from January 28 to February 5, 2021. Once again, he has witnessed and visually depicted, as many experts described “The Occupy Wall Street Version #2”. The embossed black/white scattered faces represent individual investors and the red collective faces symbolize institutional investors. In this work, the red collective is pressed down beneath the mountain by the arrogant individual investors scattered in the sky, filled with panic. The piece depicts a fleeting moment when reckless retail traders, unaware of their own limits, reveled in their brief arrogance.
-------------------------------------
2, “Falling from the Sky”
“Falling from the Sky” is part of The GameStop Mania series. It continues Gan Yu’s visual exploration of the GameStop phenomenon through embossed, flat, and recessed portraits of jubilant participants, set against the sharp surges and plunges of trading waves. The raised and sunken surfaces symbolize opposing strategies in the financial markets—long versus short, calls versus puts—techniques that were all central to the GameStop speculative frenzy. This work also reflects the brief resurgence of Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, who once again rallied GameStop and a wave of meme stocks in 2024, only to see the excitement collapse within two days. They were beaten to a pulp by well-prepared institutional investors. Their former glory was completely gone
-------------------------------------
3. “Swimmer”
Swimmer is a painting of eight panels which presents a composition of twisted but doubled cross shapes with half black and half white ink and color on canvas. The black/white panels symbolize the swimmer’s 24-hour struggling with and without masks in the clear and dark waters of the financial market’s certainty and uncertainty. This artwork reflects people spinning into a vortex of human desires in the mist of the global pandemic. The paintings actually started in October, 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world hard while the financial markets flourished. Retail trading, in particular, is very active.
-------------------------------------
It is important to recognize that retail investors now represent an increasingly significant share, about 30% of global stock market activity. Their influence and presence continue to expand, reshaping market dynamics. As a result, large-scale participation by retail investors has become a defining feature and the new normal of both U.S. and international equity markets.
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