Meet Chang Liu

We were lucky to catch up with Chang Liu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chang, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

As a visual designer and a curator, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of art and technology, challenging traditional notions of art as a static and isolated entity. My journey began since I studied at Central Saint Martins College and the Royal College of Art, where I started to explore the transformative potential of art—how it can foster dialogue, spark curiosity, and invite contemplation.

In my work, I use a variety of mediums to lead my audiences to re-examine the relationship between humans and technology, and in particular how the development of technology will affect the way we process emotions. Instead of presenting my work as solutions, I approach it through the lens of speculative design. I believe the inherent optimism of design often makes us overlook the unfixable nature of many challenges we face today—challenges that require a shift in our values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour. Therefore, through my design work, I aim to trigger thoughtful consideration of today’s social issues and open new perspectives on these ‘wicked problems.’

Since 2017, I worked as a part-time graphic designer at the P.W Group as well a pursuing my own creative experiments as a freelance curator, including found Manifold Space with my creative partner during the pandemic. This art collective was born from my desire to offer young artists a platform to showcase their work, especially those constrained by the costs of physical galleries. Last year, Manifold Space designed, curated and opened our first physical group exhibition, “Home Away From Home”. The success of the exhibition reinforces our commitment to encourage British young artists including myself to communicate with local city spaces they inhabit.

My journey is an exploration of the possibilities that emerge when visual and interactive design converge. It is also a continuous journey of experimentation and innovation, where the synergy between technology, aesthetics, and human interaction is explored to its fullest. By bridging the gap between art and the audience, I aspire to create not just exhibitions but transformative experiences that encourage a deeper engagement with the world and provoke thoughtful connections to the spaces we share.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As someone who is passionate about contributing to build a society with more empathy and diversity, and supporting the visibility of talented young artists, last summer has been very meaningful in my journey so far. Together with a close friend and creative partner, I co-founded Manifold Space while at university, driven by our shared vision to amplify the voices of young artists in urban spaces. Recognizing the challenges young artists face in gaining visibility, we launched ‘Home away from Home’ – a public exhibition in East London, born out of our initiative to engage in meaningful discussions about cultural displacement, the concept of home, and the impact of the pandemic on these themes.

Our exhibition, hosted at the culturally significant House of Annetta, was not just a space but a statement. Nestled between Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, an area steeped in rich immigration history and the creative pulse of artists, makers, and designers, it offered the perfect backdrop to explore our themes. The House of Annetta, with its own storied past of conservation, creativity, and community, played a pivotal role. Once under the care of architect, artist, and campaigner Annetta Pedretti, it now serves as a cultural hub that supports collectives like ours, fostering a cycle of creative and communal growth.

Featuring 26 artists, the exhibition explored the theme of home and delved into the complexities of identity shaped by one’s background and cultural origin. It wasn’t just an exhibition; it was a dialogue – one that we were privileged to curate, inviting participants to discuss cultural displacement, travelling, and reflect on their own notions of home in a post-pandemic world.

The exhibition “Home Away From Home” was our first physical group exhibition. It proposed the concept of utilizing diverse city spaces as canvases for storytelling, enabling artists to engage in a dynamic conversation with their surroundings. Through Manifold Space, we strive to become a pivotal platform for young British artists, including myself, to interact with and draw inspiration from the local city spaces they inhabit.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Staying curious and attuned to new information, trends, and emerging technologies has been crucial. Being sensitive about what’s happening around you whether it’s popular culture or the latest innovations, which can provide valuable insights and inspire creative solutions and at the same time keep yourself adaptable and ahead of the curve.

Empathy played a crucial role in my creativity journey. By connecting emotionally with audiences, artists can inspire change and challenge societal norms. This emotional engagement creates a shared sense of humanity, helping audiences feel seen and understood. Focusing on empathy can help you engage with your audiences so that it can lead to healing and personal growth, both for yourself and for others.

Embracing risk and being unafraid of unforeseen challenges are also important. Growth often happens outside of your comfort zone. Taking risks might feel intimidating, but it can also lead to opportunities. For those who just starting out, remember that risks might not be obstacles, but chances to learn, grow, and discover your true potential.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am actively looking to partner and collaborate with creatives from diverse backgrounds. I’m particularly interested in connecting with individuals from various fields—whether you’re an artist, writer, choreographer, or innovator—who are passionate about working on unique and exciting projects.

Through Manifold, a platform designed to attract and connect creatives, I hope to bring together people with different skill sets and perspectives to collaborate on meaningful projects. It’s also a space where members can introduce potential creative partners to each other, fostering a community of innovation and collaboration.

If you’re interested in partnering or collaborating, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to connect with me through my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chang-liu-779a6220b/. Please do get in touch with any unfettered ideas, or just say hello!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chang-liu.me
• Instagram: poppypoppyliu
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chang-liu-779a6220b

Image Credits

Xyler