We recently had the chance to connect with Nianxin Li and have shared our conversation below.
Nianxin, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve recently fallen in love with bouldering. It makes me almost forget the world around me, and I truly enjoy the feeling of being completely in sync with my body and the environment.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a painter from China, currently based in New York. My mediums include acrylic on canvas, pencil, and pastel, among others.
My practice begins with feelings of disconnection between the purpose and methods of my early education and family life. discusses the possibility of various parts actively or passively staying in the same space, and questions the traditional framework of prioritizing familial relationships.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One evening, I was sitting in a car listening to music. The sky was dark but still a pale blue. Suddenly, it felt as if the whole world had vanished with the song — all that remained was the music and the red taillights of the car in front. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up and listened to the same song again, that feeling was gone. After that, I felt a subtle shift in the way I saw the world.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I’m painting, something shifted in me. My question changed from ‘What do I want to paint?’ to ‘Why am I avoiding painting certain things?’ Why did I resist seeing my own brushstrokes on the canvas? The things I used to reject seemed to affect me more deeply — even pushing me toward the next stage. I stopped hiding behind the canvas.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would leave New York immediately and go travel, hahaha
Contact Info:
- Instagram: studio_linianxxik
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