Interview with Xinyu Wo
1.Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?
My art aims to explore the connection between human nature and social reality, triggering viewers to reflect on their inner worlds through visual presentation. Immersed in observing absurd social realities and personal histories, I seek to find the brightness of humanity amidst chaotic societal images. Influenced by philosophers like Kant, my contemplation of moral laws and the beauty of human nature drives me to continually explore the meaning of human existence. I believe that moral laws and the beauty of human nature represent the ultimate pursuit of civilization, embodying the noble quest of the human spirit. Therefore, my creative process is an exploration of the positive aspects of human nature, showcasing the beauty I see through visual representation.
In the exploration of social reality and personal history, I strive to capture visually captivating elements, infusing images with dramatic tension and surrealist associations. Interweaving dreams with reality through representational oil painting techniques, I construct personal memories that intertwine space and time, illustrating the connection between the inner world and external reality. By dramatizing images to increase tension and using surrealist techniques to arrange elements, I aim to attract viewers to explore the meanings behind my works.
2. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
"Creativity" is a quality that every artist must possess, so in daily life, no matter what kind of images or textual information I see, my brain unconsciously processes the information I come into contact with, generating over a dozen possibilities and recombining these elements. After such a process, a new artwork will be created. I once used this creative method to help others in business. When I just graduated from SVA MFA Fine Arts, I had no money and had not truly become a full-time artist, so I took a full-time job helping others in business. I never thought of having any "full-time office job"; I always wanted to work in a creative field, but at that time I had to figure out how to help others in business in order to survive. Using my creative thinking during the creation process, I extrapolated from the commercial information I encountered, creating several new business proposals, which I later treated as artworks, and they turned out quite well.
3. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.
Wake up - Swim - Have breakfast - Go to the studio - Have a light meal - Continue working - Occasionally play on the phone - Continue working - Go home - Take a shower - Do some readings - Sleep.
4. Is the artist's life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
It depends on what kind of artist you want to be, what brings you more joy? Do you care more about the sense of achievement when you succeed? Or the satisfaction during the creative process? Do you prefer to work alone, or engage in teamwork? Do you want to create beauty for the world like a poet, or do you want to establish your own brand in a planned and organized manner? Different artists lead different lives. I have seen artists living in the mountains accompanied by animals, and I have also seen artists competing for opportunities in the city. As long as you can take responsibility for your own needs, you will seldom feel lonely.
5. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
After the pandemic, it was time for graduation, internships, job hunting, and a series of busy and mundane tasks. At that time, I just wanted to find a job first, anything would do, as I needed to support myself. In the first year or two after graduation, I almost exclusively helped others with their businesses, working 5 days a week at the company. Although the repetitive office life was stable, I started asking myself: Is this how you want to spend the rest of your life? Is this the meaning of my life? So I quit my full time job at the end of 2022 and dive into the art world.
Now I am an artist, and I often have many people ask me: why did you choose this path at the time? The truth is, my thoughts were really simple: it's something I love to do; it's something I am good at doing; and I can also earn a bit of income through selling artwork.
When I first decided to become an artist, I had to go to the office 5 days a week, so I used the 4 hours after work each day and weekends to create paintings. I posted my created artworks on Instagram, and slowly, a few months later, some art dealers found me and invited me to participate in group exhibitions. A few months later, VillageoneArt Gallery offered me my first solo exhibition. I am very grateful to VillageoneArt Gallery for creating this opportunity for me. Most of my work was sold, and through this solo exhibition, many galleries and collectors took notice of me. I then continued to participate in various exhibitions, accumulating experience and updating my ideas. Becoming an artist means constantly facing challenges in life and creation, but I enjoy this work and life. This is the meaning of my life: continuous learning, innovation, and challenges.
6. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events
you would like to talk about?
I am currently preparing for my solo exhibition at the end of this year. There will be 5-6 large-sized paintings and less than 10 small-sized paintings. The specific time and location will be announced on my Instagram: Wo_Xinyu. Everyone is welcome to follow and stay updated.