Could you please provide an overview of your artistic practice and the steps you took to become the visual artist, animator, and animation researcher you are today?

As a child, I was fascinated by animation—it was like a world I could escape into, full of endless possibilities. I would spend hours sketching, trying to recreate the characters and stories that captured my imagination. That love for animation and drawing never left me. It evolved as I pursued a Fine Arts degree at USC and a Master’s in Film Curation at the University of Glasgow.

Early on, I was drawn to storytelling through visual art, but it was my move to the UK that really deepened my exploration of identity, belonging, and societal change. Throughout this process, my work has evolved from personal narratives to larger reflections on identity, politics, and culture.

In your bio, you mentioned that your art explores complex themes such as identity, social transformation, and political discourse. Can you let us know what motivated you to explore these themes in your art practice?

My art is rooted in personal experience. Growing up in a society where expression, especially around sexuality, was often suppressed, and now living as a minority in the UK, I’ve constantly navigated the tension between belonging and self-expression. Art allows me to explore these spaces and confront the complexities of identity and culture. I’m drawn to political and social themes because they’re deeply connected to how we define ourselves. I want my work to challenge, question, and provoke thought about the ever-evolving nature of identity.

In your work, you combine traditional techniques such as hand-drawing, printmaking, and painting with digital processes to create intricate, multi-layered visual narratives. How do you feel each medium contributes to the overall message of your pieces?

For me, each medium carries its own emotional weight. Hand-drawing is personal—there’s something raw and vulnerable about seeing the imperfections of the human touch. It grounds my work in something real and tactile, which I love. Printmaking has this repetition to it, a process that feels reflective of the patterns in culture and identity that I’m constantly questioning. 

Then, digital techniques allow me to layer and distort those elements, almost like adding noise to a conversation. It helps me amplify the tension between tradition and modernity, human and machine, personal and political. When these mediums come together, they create a visual dialogue that reflects the complexity of the stories I want to tell.

In your artist statement, you discuss the “cacophony of media noise.” Can you describe your creative process for translating this concept into visual forms?

When I think of media noise, I imagine layers upon layers of fragmented information, all competing for attention. In my work, I replicate this visually by combining hand-drawn and digital techniques, creating dense, textured layers that mimic the overload of media in modern life. I use distortion, repetition, and overlapping elements to mirror how the constant influx of information can blur reality, making it harder to discern what’s genuine and what’s manipulated.

Identity and social transformation are recurring themes in your work. How do you see these themes manifesting in the current socio-political landscape?

In today’s world, identity is in flux—constantly shaped by political discourse, social media, and global migration. I see a growing tension between individual identity and collective narratives, especially as people navigate issues like race, gender, and nationality. My work reflects this fluidity, capturing the internal conflicts that arise when societal expectations clash with personal truths. 

I believe we’re in a moment of reckoning, where individuals are reasserting control over their identities in the face of political and social pressures.

Your new series of works reflects the struggle to discern truth in an era of curated narratives. What can you tell us about this series?

This series explores how media and technology curate what we perceive as reality. It’s about the tension between the personal and the public, and how truth is often shaped or distorted by external forces. I use mixed media—printmaking, acrylic, and digital processing—to layer conflicting narratives, representing the challenge of finding clarity in a world that’s increasingly mediated by screens and algorithms. Each piece feels fragmented, just like the way we experience information today, urging viewers to question the narratives they encounter.

Can you share a specific piece from your latest series that you feel particularly encapsulates your message? What elements make it stand out for you?

One piece that really encapsulates my message is Nosies II. It features multiple figures under a spotlight, all wearing eye masks. This visual choice speaks to the political implications of how media and technology shape our perception of reality.

The spotlight represents public scrutiny, while the masks suggest how we often hide our true selves in response to external pressures. This piece highlights the tension between personal truth and public narratives, encouraging viewers to question what they see and how it shapes their understanding of identity.

With exhibitions in China, the United States, and the UK, how do different cultural contexts influence your work and its reception?

Exhibiting in China, the U.S., and the UK has shown me how cultural contexts really shape the reception of my work. In China, many viewers share that my pieces resonate deeply with their personal experiences, often touching them emotionally.

In the U.S. and UK, audiences tend to engage with my work as a form of social critique, especially around themes of identity and technology. Each culture adds its own flavor to how my art is interpreted, which makes the experience richer for me as an artist.

In your opinion, how do you categorize art as a catalyst for change, be it at an individual and community level or at a global scale?

Art has a unique way of starting conversations. On a personal level, it can provoke self-reflection, and on a community level, it can unite or challenge social norms. Globally, art can bridge cultures and highlight injustices, often pushing us to rethink our assumptions and inspiring change.

What message or call to action would you like to leave our readers with?

I’d encourage everyone to look closer—whether at art or life itself. The world can feel noisy and overwhelming, but by being more mindful and questioning the narratives we’re fed, we can find our own truths.

Know more about the artist here.

Cover image:

Detail of Noises II by Chuan Jiang. Image courtesy of Chuan Jiang.