Blending ancient wisdom with contemporary insights

Interview with cross-disciplinary artist Lexiong Ying

1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.

I have a diverse academic background and developed a keen interest in visual arts and contemporary art at an early age. Life in London further deepened and enriched my artistic practice and self-expression.

I consider myself a cross-disciplinary artist, working across various media. My artistic inspiration and themes stem from personal experiences, observations, and critical reflections on life and contemporary society. The themes I explore and create include the fragility of human relationships, the illusory constructs of consumerism, and the profound impact of technology on modern life. Additionally, I am deeply concerned for ecological conservation, animal welfare, and the challenges female entrepreneurs face.

In addition to my artistic practice, I am also a fortune teller. By blending ancient wisdom with contemporary insights, this unique dual identity imbues my work with spiritual philosophical depth and socially critical visual expression.

Excerpt from the project 'Plastic Human Relations' , 2020

2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.

When I am in my ‘artistic persona,’ I am fully immersed in my work as an artist. I have always believed that art creation relies not only on those precious moments of inspiration but also on countless hours of relentless effort.

Typically, I prepare a to-do list in advance, regardless of when I wake up the next day. Once I get started, I easily enter a state of non-stop work until my neck becomes so sore that I can no longer continue, at which point I may take an extended break, effectively ‘shedding my artist persona.’

3. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?

I have a series of works that I am delighted with, which mainly satirise the fragile nature of modern human relationships. The inspiration came from observing and reflecting on the relationships between people I knew well then, which went from being close friends to deep-seated resentment. The stark contrast between the beginning and end of these relationships profoundly impacted me.

This series includes different visual experiments, experimental photography and experimental effects. For example, in the visual experiments, I blurred some portraits and covered them with masking tape so viewers could not see the subjects' true faces. When the tape is removed, the subjects' faces are often destroyed. This experiment metaphorically suggests that in real life, people often do not realise the true intentions of others when forming relationships. Once someone tries to uncover the truth, the relationship breaks down.

When exploring the impact of the internet on interpersonal relationships, I examined a key question raised by social media, one of the most important innovations of the technological age: does it really bring people closer together, or does it merely present a superficial connection that masks underlying divisions and even fuels conflict? When exploring the social scene, I used paper with absurd masks drawn on them, transforming and adapting them to the models' bodies. Then, based on my spontaneous inspiration from the models, I interpreted them to create different outcomes and interpretations. Each frame captures subtle emotional fluctuations.

Excerpt from the experimental video 'The Hypocritical Us'

4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?

Undoubtedly, artistic practice has raised my aesthetic standards in all aspects of life. Art has refined my perceptions.

5. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?

The main issue is that I sometimes experience anxiety, which typically arises when I have a lot of plans in my mind but can't immediately figure out how to tackle them one by one. This often leads to a dip in my mood.

Usually, I feel uncomfortable for a while, but then I force myself to make a list, starting with the most basic tasks one by one and completing them step by step. As long as I keep moving forward, that's a good sign. Besides that, I have many conversations with my mother. As Buddhists, we sometimes find solace in our Buddhist faith.

Artwork from the project 'How do you verify that you are you?'

6. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.

I have always been inspired to create, striving to share my work with a wider audience and listen to their thoughts and ideas. This is absolutely the best and most interesting experience for me.

7. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?

Please express yourself fearlessly and leave your true, sincere mark on this world.

8. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

I don't feel lonely because I always search for and collect all kinds of inspiration. Every time I do, I meet new friends who always give me new ideas. My heart is open to art.

9. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?

Of course! I am currently actively preparing for several upcoming exhibitions. In mid-June and late July, my experimental photography series, Plastic Human Relations, will be exhibited at two galleries in East London. My experimental video, The Hypocritical Us, will be exhibited in Paris and Barcelona at the end of May and mid-June. My 3D-printed sculpture, How do you verify that you are you?, will be exhibited in London at the end of May. Specific dates and locations will be announced on my Instagram. Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/lexi.visual