Interview with Junhong Li (Eos)
1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
Currently based in the UK, I graduated with a Master's in Illustration from the University of the Arts London and am also a certified psychological counselor. I hold a Chinese psychological counselor certificate and an advanced degree in International Educational Psychology from City University Malaysia.
As an artist and psychological counselor, I have embarked on a journey that intertwines the fields of art and psychology. The driving force behind my artistic philosophy is the belief in the power of art and psychology to inspire personal growth. I am dedicated to using painting as a bridge to disseminate psychological knowledge and to create works with social significance. My work seeks to present a delicate yet bold expression, aiming for a visual impact with profound power.
In my creative process, I often enjoy experimenting with various techniques and mediums, carefully selecting the most suitable form of expression for each theme and emotion. Whether using traditional mediums such as watercolor, graphite, and colored pencils, or digital painting tools, I adapt my methods to meet the aesthetic and narrative needs of each project. My representative works include "Mumu and Moyle," "Scarecrow," " The electricity is coming," and the series of books "Caring for the Mental Health of Minors," as well as the mural "The Power of Self-Care" for Hong Kong charity's "Scars" theme. I have also been shortlisted for the Hiii Illustration International Illustration Award, the Hans Christian Andersen (International) Art Award Gold Medal, and the ARTWORTH International Art Award Gold Medal, with exhibitions held in Denmark, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other locations.
2. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?
The themes of my creations primarily revolve around the exploration of psychology and human emotions. My inspiration stems from a profound understanding of the complexities of human psychology and a keen interest in emotional expression. In my works, I always strive to capture and present those often inexpressible emotions and psychological subjects.
Psychology and painting are two fields I am very passionate about. I hope to build a bridge between art and psychology through my artistic works. Incorporating psychological elements into my personal artistic expression adds richer dimensions to my creations, deepening the emotional connection with my audience and evoking a stronger resonance.
Overall, the fusion of art and psychology perfectly enriches both disciplines. The visual expression of art helps people grasp those complex psychological concepts more intuitively. It is a powerful way to enhance people's awareness of mental health. Psychology also enriches the depth of artistic creation.
3. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
My artistic life has profoundly impacted other aspects of my life in various ways. When I was a child, my mother began nurturing my interest in fine arts, believing that I had a special talent for art. Thus, I started learning art from an early age.
Learning to paint from a young age significantly shaped my worldview and attitude. Early artistic experiences taught me to keenly observe the world, making me more attentive to and appreciative of my surroundings. They also fostered my creativity, enabling me to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to problems.
Art serves as a channel for emotional expression and stress relief. Whenever I experience negative emotions, painting becomes a way for me to heal psychologically. Just as family, friends, lovers, and even pets can provide support and companionship, art also has the power to heal, accompanying me through lonely times and helping me maintain mental health and balance. Art holds immense significance in my life.
4. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
Of course, loneliness is not exclusive to artists; it is a universal issue that humanity must face. British psychiatrist Anthony Storr explores the importance of loneliness for creativity and personal growth in his book The Discovery of Solitude. Throughout our lives, we learn how to cope with loneliness and find our own rhythm and balance from it.
In my view, loneliness is a double-edged sword. As an artist, loneliness can be more pronounced because a lot of solitary time and inner self-exploration are often needed for creation. However, loneliness is not a permanent state but a phase of experience. I usually transform loneliness into a driving force; it allows me to calm down for deep thinking and self-exploration. This focused process is crucial for creating works that are rich in depth and meaning.
In summary, although loneliness is challenging, it is also a valuable resource. For artists, loneliness is not only a necessary path for creation but also an important way for self-discovery and growth.
5. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?
I am currently fully immersed in several creative projects. In the publishing realm, my picture book The electricity is coming is set to meet readers this December. This book, which focuses on popularizing everyday knowledge, uses lively and engaging stories along with beautiful illustrations to spark children's interest in science and help them use electrical energy safely and effectively.
In addition to books, I am hosting a series of exhibitions in the United States, Denmark, China, and the United Kingdom. These exhibitions are not only opportunities to showcase my works but also essential avenues to absorb the cultural essence of different regions and expand my artistic horizons. Naturally, I am also actively engaging with professionals in the fields of psychology and art worldwide, sharing resources, exploring more innovative opportunities, and promoting the deep integration of psychology and art to bring more positive impacts to society.
Moreover, my artwork will appear in the scene of the upcoming Chinese film A Feather. This is an incredibly exciting endeavor, as such cross-disciplinary collaboration not only broadens my creative domain, allowing me to experience the unique charm of combining film and art, but also gives my artworks the chance to reach a wider audience through different media.
I have also been active in the field of art education, teaching art courses to students, including university lectures and painting classes for teenagers. This is not only a way for me to disseminate artistic knowledge but also an opportunity to gain new inspiration from their perspectives, continuously refreshing my own artistic concepts.
Lastly, my part-time work as a psychological counselor at a mental health counseling institution enables me to combine psychology with artistic practice, providing more comprehensive support to visitors. Through these multifaceted explorations and practices, I hope to discover more possibilities on my artistic creation journey and make
meaningful contributions to both the art world and society at large.
website: https://eos.cargo.site/wall-painting
social mdedia: (IG) @eos5201314