We were lucky to catch up with Yalan Wen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Yalan, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
When I’m stuck for ideas, a walk often does the trick. I allow my senses to roam freely, igniting the sparks of creativity within me. It helps me think more clearly and creatively. Sometimes, I like to mix things up by traveling or exploring new places nearby. It’s surprising how often I stumble upon something new, especially when I’m chatting with others or wandering down unfamiliar paths. I’m always eager to learn and expand my horizons. And I keep in mind that it’s not about where I am, but the effort I put in that counts.
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?
On May 18 and 19, 2024, I welcomed the public into my studio space in Long Island City to showcase a selection of both my established and recent creations, spanning video art and paintings alike. ‘Room View,’ which I made in 2020, was popular among the pieces. I displayed the video loop on a phone screen, and people perceived the work as a melting painting. The open studio event provided an invaluable opportunity for me to engage with a diverse audience, including fellow artists, curators, neighbors, and enthusiasts of the arts. Their constructive feedback and insights provided fresh perspectives for me.
As a visual artist creating media art and paintings, I am consistently driven by the desire to evoke shared experiences and stir familiar emotions within my audience. Whether through nostalgia, memory, or a sense of collective resonance, I continually seek ways to forge connections between people.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey of pursuing art as a career, I’ve come to appreciate the vital role of community support. While honing one’s artistic skills and deepening knowledge of one’s subject matter are undeniable components of a fulfilling career, the nurturing environment of a community, regardless of its size, can profoundly shape our professional development and clarify our goals.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I recall a particularly enriching period during an art residency. Surrounded by fellow artists who embraced open-mindedness and offered unwavering support, I found myself delving deeper into self-discovery and gaining invaluable insights into the creative processes of others. This collaborative atmosphere not only broadened my artistic horizons but also provided a springboard for personal and professional growth.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m eager to engage in collaborations involving large art projects or installations, welcoming professionals from diverse backgrounds such as creative technologists, architects, and musicians. I’m enthusiastic about exploring the potential synergies that arise from interdisciplinary collaboration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yalanwen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalanlanlan/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yalan-wen-822058a9/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_O0xXjFVLZlkhotHqFRHA
- Other: Artist Statement As an artist making paintings, installations, and mixed media artworks, Yalan Wen looks for the similarities between people’s thoughts and actions to know what connects them. She takes inspiration directly from her surrounding environment. The subjects include aspects of ordinary life that usually go unnoticed. By putting them in an unexpected context, she changes their meanings. Yalan’s works playfully experiment with levels of consciousness and behavior such as inaction, omission, and aleatoric processes. The compositions or settings present poetic images that balance the work on the edge of recognition and alienation. Combining symbolic ideas and graphic language, using programming for linear organization, and also allowing randomness in the process, the artworks function with known and unknown elements.
Image Credits
Personal photo by Nick Wen
