Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yang (Prefer to go by Ulaan) Yu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yang (Prefer to go by Ulaan), thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Hello Team Voyage’s Bold Journey, I’m Ulaan, a fiber artist, photographer, and startup entrepreneur. It’s a privilege to be interviewed by you. As both arts and entrepreneurship demand intense focus and high resilience, being the only one in the room who looks like me has emphasized the importance of self-awareness. I’ve come to embrace my uniqueness and see it as a strength rather than a limitation. This strong sense of self-awareness drives me to deeply focus on my skills, knowledge, and abilities. I strive for effectiveness and success regardless of outward differences. Moreover, the entrepreneurial journey inherently involves collaboration. So I also actively seek to connect with others in the room, fostering understanding and recognizing that diverse perspectives can lead me to innovative solutions and collaborative success.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At the age of 16, I ventured to the U.S. for high school, landing in the quaint town of Dover Foxcroft in Maine. Here, I found echoes of my hometown, Hulunbuir, amidst the scenic beauty of nature and the harmonious coexistence of wildlife and locals. This period of solitude amidst nature sparked my exploration of art. With a 35mm film camera and a digital camera gifted by my dad, I delved into photography and experimented with painting, soft sculpture, and performing arts.
Ultimately, my journey led me to focus on photography and soft sculpture during my college years at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. My art serves as a reflection of my personal experiences and cultural heritage, with inspiration drawn from nature, religion, animals, and childhood memories. Through my fairy tale-themed fiber pieces, I aim to transport viewers into a world of imaginative characters imbued with tenderness.
In 2021, I named my fiber series “JAHA,” meaning “inherit” in Mongolian. This choice reflects the centuries-old Mongolian tradition of felting, wherein wool, a natural gift from animals, symbolizes the warmth of life. By utilizing felting to breathe new life into raw materials, I embrace the concept of inheritance, weaving together past and present through my art.
It has always been my mission to share JAHA with the world and connect with diverse audiences. However, as a college artist, I often felt constrained by the traditional confines of art entrepreneurship. I yearned for a more relaxed setting to engage with people, where various forms of art could coexist in one space. This desire fueled my passion for art administration and event management.
Upon completing my master’s degree at NYU, I was approached by the founder of AAAAH CULTURE (Asian Artists and Activities Hub). Serving as co-founder and project manager for over 6 months, I collaborated on numerous initiatives aimed at showcasing authentic Asian cultural and artistic events in New York City. Our efforts were dedicated to fostering connections with diverse communities while maintaining a high standard of excellence.
Additionally, I achieved success in having my fiber sculpture works exhibited at the Blanc Gallery at the end of August 2023.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, I believe three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge had the most significant impact: 1. Perseverance 2. Creativity 3. Passion
My advice to fellow artists and anyone passionate about creation and art is this: the journey of an artist is inevitably dotted with setbacks, rejection, and self-doubt. Yet, it’s crucial for us to embody resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Russian literature has had a profound impact on me. My favorite authors include Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol and Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. I often find myself rereading their works, as it helps me maintain a critical perspective on everything, staying calm and clear-headed, almost like an observer of life. Yes, I define myself as an observer of life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulaan_1997/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yang-yu-5b9514223/
Image Credits
Photographer: theBlanc, Wei.H
