Meet MOIE QIAN YANG

We were lucky to catch up with MOIE QIAN YANG recently and have shared our conversation below.

MOIE QIAN, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I draw my resilience from a combination of curiosity, purpose, and the stories I want to tell through my work. Textile art often requires patience and experimentation, and I’ve learned to embrace mistakes as part of the process rather than obstacles. The generations of women in my family also inspire me, as do the histories woven into the fabrics I work with—they remind me why persistence matters, both in art and in life. Ultimately, my resilience comes from a commitment to creating work that resonates emotionally and socially, even when the process is challenging.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I create textile-based art that blends traditional craft with contemporary storytelling. My work explores themes of identity, memory, and the lived experiences of women, often using embroidery, knitting, and upcycled materials to bring textures and narratives to life. What excites me most is the way textiles can hold both history and emotion—they’re tactile, intimate, and endlessly versatile, allowing me to experiment with form, color, and storytelling in ways other media can’t.
Through my projects, I aim to invite viewers to slow down and connect with the subtleties of material and meaning. Recently, I’ve been developing interactive textile installations that combine AR animation with handicraft, creating immersive experiences that bridge traditional techniques with digital technology. This fusion allows me to explore new ways of engaging audiences and expanding what textile art can do. Ultimately, my practice is about transforming materials and experiences into something that resonates both visually and emotionally.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are curiosity, patience, and adaptability. Curiosity has driven me to explore different materials, techniques, and cultural narratives, pushing my work beyond the expected. Patience is essential in textile art—every stitch, weave, and experiment takes time, and learning to embrace the process rather than rush to the result has been transformative. Adaptability has allowed me to combine traditional craft with contemporary approaches, like integrating AR animation into textile installations, which keeps my practice evolving and relevant.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to stay open-minded and experiment widely—don’t be afraid to fail, because mistakes often lead to unexpected discoveries. Cultivate patience by appreciating the process itself rather than only focusing on the finished piece. And finally, embrace adaptability by learning new skills, tools, or technologies, but always stay grounded in what inspires you and the story you want your work to tell.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was support my decision to study in New York, even though we weren’t wealthy. Their encouragement went beyond finances, they trusted my passion for art and gave me the confidence to pursue a path that felt ambitious and uncertain. Studying in New York exposed me to an international city full of diverse cultures, ideas, and artistic practices. I made friends with people from all over the world and had the privilege of learning alongside incredibly talented peers, which challenged me to think differently and push the boundaries of my creativity. Living in such a dynamic environment opened my eyes to new perspectives, inspired experimentation, and profoundly shaped how I approach my work today. Their support gave me not just an education but the freedom to explore, take risks, and grow as an artist in a global context, and that belief continues to motivate me in every project I undertake.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mooooiemo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moie-qianyang/