Joy in eternal truth

Interview with artist Xi Liu

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

The core theme of my art is the relationship between the self and the larger universe— how we change, grow, and find peace within impermanence. I’m drawn to the quiet beauty of everyday life, the subtle emotions that often go unnoticed, and the deeper patterns that run through nature and human consciousness. I often use pure colors and symbolic imagery to express abstract or spiritual ideas in a way that feels gentle and accessible. My inspiration comes from many places: Eastern philosophy, Carl Jung’s psychology, Taoist texts, my own emotional landscape, and conversations with strangers. Sometimes, it’s the gaze of a dog, or a moment of delight over a delicious meal, that stirs something in me and moves me to draw. To me art is a way to interpret this diverse and complex world in a simpler, more heartfelt language—a bridge between inner clarity and the external world, and a quiet search for a sense of universal connection that words alone can’t fully express.

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

Between the ages of 19 and 25, I underwent my first major life transition—leaving my strict family to explore the world on my own. Growing up in that environment made it difficult for me to connect with others. By chance, I met a friend who loved philosophy, and through his influence, I began reading books on psychology, philosophy, and sociology to better understand myself and the world around me.

Reading psychology felt like forcing myself to unfold the old, tightly curled-up version of myself. I was often moved to tears in resonance with the authors, but I also needed to pause and slowly process what I was learning. Over time, reading for two to three hours a day, I managed to overcome anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD, while learning to set personal boundaries and respect myself. Gradually, my mindset opened up, and I started journaling and meditating regularly. One afternoon, after meditation, I experienced an unprecedented calmness. After five years of deep inner work, I finally let go of my worries and began to explore how to truly enjoy life.

'Morning Sunlight' by Xi Liu

3. Share your worst experience in the art world.

I started exploring my artistic voice in 2019 with a series of “city girl” illustrations, all inspired by moments from my daily life. I shared them online simply hoping to connect with others—there was no business plan, no income, just a need to create and express myself. Then one day, a fan messaged me saying that a major photography company in China had copied one of my works. Not long after, I received a threatening letter from that company warning me not to sue because I’d never win—they had powerful connections. I felt completely powerless. I was just a young, poor artist who had just enrolled in college.

My family told me to let it go, but I couldn’t. I felt it was unfair and I needed to speak up. So I posted a video showing clear evidence of their plagiarism. To my surprise, it went viral almost instantly. I gained over 30,000 new followers in a matter of days—people who supported me and believed in my work. Then came a wave of unexpected messages: “Can you make this illustration into a phone case? I’d love to buy it.” That’s when I realized I could turn this awful experience into something meaningful. It was my work. Why should the profit go to those who only care about commercial gain?

At first, I was overwhelmed. I had no idea how to find a manufacturer, set up an online store, or get everything ready for sale within a month. I was anxious, sleepless, and working non-stop—but I made it happen. That was the first time I truly understood what it means to be an independent artist-entrepreneur.

At the time, I was also participating in a young artists’ competition and won third prize with a 6,000 RMB cash award. I used this prize money as initial capital to produce my art products for the online store and launched a pre-sale campaign. Even before shipping a single item, my illustration phone cases were already selling over 200 units per month online. This success led to an invitation to speak at Taobao, China’s largest e-commerce platform, in 2020.

This experience broadened my horizons. I realized that being an artist is only one part of who I am, and there are many possibilities beyond just making art. What began as anger and fear ultimately transformed me into a stronger, more confident version of myself—beyond all expectations.

4. Is the artist's life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Loneliness is the gateway to my inner world. Being alone, to me, means being efficient and focused. I began training myself to face loneliness when I was in high school. In the first three years, I often felt embarrassed, confused, and even shameful—because in a culture that values group belonging, standing apart made me feel like I wasn’t keeping up with “their” pace. But over time, I gradually found clarity—and eventually, I found myself—in that solitude.

I cherish moments of solitude: lifting weights with motivating music, listening to philosophy audiobooks over lunch, or getting lost in a psychology book at a quiet café. In those moments, I feel deeply connected—to myself and to the world within. I also challenged myself to travel solo across Europe. Loneliness, in other words, is another name for freedom—a way to be alone with nature.

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

Self-transformation has been a central theme in my life. During my time at art school, there was a strong emphasis on developing and sticking to a singular artistic style—what they called an artist’s “voice.” But the only constant in this world is change. We flow because we cannot stay still. There is also an unspoken divide between illustration and fine art, especially in New York, where abstract art often dominates. As an artist capable of working in multiple visual languages, I believe I shouldn’t be confined to just one medium or approach.

I'm currently working on an illustrated book that tells the eternal truths of the universe through symbolic, fairytale-like stories—and explores how we can live in joy with those truths.

Website: www.xiliu.website

Social Media: @mynameisxiliu