A Chinese artist accused earlier this year of copying the work of his Belgian contemporary vehemently denied the allegations in a social media post on Monday.

In February, artist Christian Silvain told Belgian media that Ye Yongqing had copied and profited from ideas found in his collage series. Upon reaching China, word of the allegations sparked heated discussion on social media — though Ye remained reticent, saying only that Silvain had “deeply influenced” him.

Ye was more vocal in a statement posted Monday to his WeChat Moments social feed, later republished on an arts website. “You think I’m a ‘liar,’ someone who ‘profited through copying’ ... but all of this is untrue,” Ye wrote, adding that after unsuccessfully trying to meet with Silvain in Brussels, he had decided to entrust the matter to his lawyer.

In a press release sent to Sixth Tone on Saturday, the Christian Silvain Foundation said that it would issue an official response “after all elements have been examined in greater depth.” (Image: IC)