From Beijing to London: Reviving Tradition Through Contemporary Art

Interview with Yan Wu

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

I was born in Beijing in 1975, and my artistic journey started with bird-and-flower painting at the China Academy of Art. After many years as an artist, I moved to London to pursue my MFA in Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London, from 2023 to 2025. I work with ink, plant-based colors, and silk, using traditional Chinese painting techniques. These techniques date back to the Song Dynasty. Chinese painting presents some challenges, as I blend modern ideas into traditional art to address issues like environmental concerns, feminism, and identity. For me, however, tradition isn’t just a museum piece; it’s a living language. I aim to make traditional materials and techniques relevant today, rather than simply adopting new ones. It’s not just a relic of the past, but an emotional and aesthetic connection to my identity.

Yan Wu

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

My work explores enduring symbols of nature in Chinese culture, such as bamboo and scholar’s rocks. Bamboo has long represented tenacity, humility, and noble integrity, while scholar’s rocks embody the dynamic, transformative power of erosion and the philosophical appreciation of natural beauty. These motifs often appear together in paintings, forming a classic visual genre. My inspiration comes from this tradition, but I’m interested in breaking it apart, isolating elements from their usual symbolic roles and recontextualizing them to create new narratives and modern meanings. These motifs serve as materials in my paintings, and I deconstruct the original meanings and visual genres to connect traditional themes with contemporary issues beyond conventional themes, such as celebrating nature, harmony with nature, or Taoist philosophy.

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

Being an artist influences how I see the world, encouraging me to think critically. Critically question what we've been taught and challenge societal perceptions. It’s about finding my own voice, offering something new, and engaging in a dialogue with the world. That curiosity extends into my everyday life. To me, that’s the most essential part of being an artist. Beyond creating work, you must navigate exhibitions, opportunities, and the broader art scene. But for me, questioning, creating, and joy outweigh the challenges.

Glazes Ceramic Scholar's Rock

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

One challenge I face is finding the right studio in London. My paintings are very delicate, and I need natural light, but affordable studio spaces are scarce. Another difficulty is living between London and Beijing; traveling often for exhibitions and managing life in two places can be exhausting. However, I try to see these hardships as part of my growth: London provides access to contemporary dialogues, while Beijing keeps me deeply connected to the traditions I build upon. Balancing the two can be tough, but it also enriches my art and gives me a perspective I wouldn’t have otherwise.

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

One of my most rewarding experiences has been exhibiting my paintings in galleries, where I can share my work with viewers, engage with curators, and explore new opportunities. The most meaningful part is the feedback; people tell me they are grateful for my use of traditional Chinese materials and symbols or that my work makes them feel peaceful and quiet. Those conversations, both in person and on social media, remind me that art can cross cultures and speak directly to people’s emotions. For me, that connection is the best experience because it proves that art has no boundaries and that what I want to say has truly reached others.

The Peach Blossom and the Scholar's Rock

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

As an artist, I spend much of my time alone in the studio, but I don’t see that as loneliness; it’s the space I need to concentrate and create. My process usually works in cycles: I’ll paint intensely for months, then switch to sharing the finished work through exhibitions, conversations with curators, or even posting on social media. Since a gallery does not yet represent me, I also handle my own promotion and sales, which can be challenging but also rewarding. For me, the solitude of making art and the connection that follows balance each other. I don’t feel lonely because my work speaks for me and often sparks dialogue with people who share the same curiosity and values.

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

After graduating this summer, I am entering a new phase in my artistic career, with several upcoming projects. I am preparing for exhibitions featuring new works that expand my practice into ceramics, in addition to my paintings. At the end of the year, I plan to spend time in Jingdezhen, the Ceramic City of China, to deepen my understanding of clay and glazing. I am also writing poetry to accompany my paintings, continuing the Chinese tradition of blending image and text. Looking ahead, I aim to bring these elements together in a book that combines painting, sculpture, and poetry into a cohesive body of work.

Website: https://yanwu.art/

Instagram: @yanwufineart