By: Lina Lecaro

Today, we’re delighted to be joined by a talented artist from China. With her distinctive classical style and original approach, she’s shining a light on some big issues. Working in traditional and digital mediums, she creates atmospheric imagery that perfectly conveys mood and meaning. She is known for her love of the natural environment, and the focus of her art draws attention to the fragility of the natural world and humankind’s place within it. A hallmark of her work is the small details hidden within, sensitively chosen to amplify meaning. Lush landscapes dotted with creatures of the natural world subtly sensitize the audience to the underlying message: nature is precious and should protected and cherished. Her works are appreciated for their aesthetic appeal, but they also hold up a mirror to complex social issues. In this interview, we find out what drives her creative process and explore the issues close to her heart.

Girl in the Wilderness（Left)

Yijuan Wang, Digital,2023

42cmx29cm

Life on the street (Right)

Yijuan Wang, Digital,2023

42cmx29cm 

Welcome Yijuan Wang. Tell us about your background and experience as a visual artist, and what inspires your work?

I am a fashion designer from China now living in England. I first graduated in China with a degree in fashion design and did further studies in the UK at Coventry University, qualifying in fashion management. In China, I worked in the fashion industry as a designer specializing in garment drawing and creating fabric patterns. Drawing and working in the medium of digital art are my first loves. My artwork is inspired by my love of historical stories and concern for environmental issues. I’ve been painting since I was a child. When I was 13 years old, I started to study art. In high school, I was very fond of history, and I was especially interested in and influenced by the Renaissance art style. Later, during my university studies in fashion design, we combined painting and dress design. In one class, we took film content as an inspiration source, and my two works at the time were selected for exhibitions. These were well received, and I was encouraged by the positive comments and reviews. From that time, I decided to undertake further studies in the UK and develop my portfolio.

Recently, your work was exhibited here in California at Gong Gallery. What sets your work apart in this exhibition? In comparison to other artists’ works, what message or emotions do you aim to convey?

The exhibition is named TWHA WHIF, or “The world hath aged, whilst humanity is fledgling,” and this is a recurring theme in my art. For this event, I took my inspiration from the Old Testament story of Noah’s Ark. In this series, I tried to show how mankind is so small and powerless in the face of nature. This theme is very relevant today. As I was creating the images, my mind turned to recent history and the lives lost in the Titanic disaster: rich, powerful people were completely helpless against the elements. So, we find that nature makes no distinctions, and this has been true through the ages. The message I want to convey is that nature is powerful, and we all have a responsibility to respect it and protect the environment.

Noah Looks Out from the Ark（Left)

Yijuan Wang, Digital,2023

50cmx50cm

Reaching for a Lifeline (Right)

Yijuan Wang, Digital,2023

50cmx50cm 

Your Ark series certainly created interest and was an imaginative way of linking an ancient biblical flood to present-day climate change. What significance does this exhibition hold for your artistic career? What do you hope to gain from it?

I’m delighted to share my work with a new audience. There are many ways to talk about nature and the environment, and I am just one small voice. But I hope that my Ark series approaches the topic in an original and thought-provoking way, and visitors will reflect on the power of nature and our relationship to it. I am Chinese, living in England, and now exhibiting in the US, so I am excited that, in my own small way, I am crossing cultures. The whole experience has been so positive that it’s given new impetus to my work.

What are the conceptual aspects of your work? Are there specific themes or ideas that drive your creations?

Conceptually, my work emphasizes the relationship and interdependence between man and nature. I want the audience to be aware of our close connection to the natural world and the impact that our way of life has on nature.

Have other artists or art movements had a significant influence on your work? If so, could you share some details?

My art has certainly been influenced by other artists and art movements. One of them is English artist and environmentalist Andy Goldsworthy, whose work shows the relationship between the natural landscape and mankind. His work inspired my respect for the natural environment and encouraged me to express my concern for environmental protection through art. Californians may be familiar with “Drawn Stone,” which greets visitors to the de Young Museum. The stones came all the way from Yorkshire in England!

Has your personal background and life experiences influenced your art creation? If so, could you share some insights into these influences?

Absolutely. I’ve witnessed so much change in the world around me. Growing up in China, I’ve seen huge megacities mushroom in front of my eyes, literally in a couple of decades. The massive shift to globalization changed China beyond all recognition, and entire conurbations developed in various industrial sectors; for example, we have cities that just make washing machines and other cities that make nothing but textiles. So it’s been a story of rapid urbanization and industrialization with huge implications for the natural environment. You may be surprised, but young people in China are just as engaged with environmental issues as you would find here in the West. It’s certainly something that drives my artistic expression, and I see that continuing.

Stone Angel at Night（Left)

Yijuan Wang, Digital,2023

42cmx29cm

Stone Angel at Door (Right)

Yijuan Wang, Digital,2023

42cmx29cm

Your other works have included themes such as homelessness and menstrual shame. You seem to focus on cultural issues that can be quite uncomfortable, even shocking, for the viewer. How do you balance artistic expression with audience acceptance?

These are complex issues, and yes, they can be emotive. But with my art, I’m not trying to shock, as that can turn the audience away. I’m much more interested in engagement and trying to find fresh perspectives to explore the subject matter. So, I think difficult subjects can be tackled in a way that doesn’t shock but stimulates reflection and dialogue.

Thank you, Yijuan, for sharing your story with us. You certainly have a distinctive, aesthetically pleasing style, and we love the classical influences and fresh perspective on social issues. We look forward to your next appearance in California.

I’m so happy to share my work with art lovers in the US, and the response has been so encouraging and welcoming. I feel energized and inspired!

Published By: Aize Perez