We recently connected with Yu-jei Yen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yu-Jei, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
After college, my heart longed to embark on a journey of artistic creation. I drew inspiration from the amazing artists who shattered boundaries to leave a lasting impact on people’s lives. I aimed to use my specialization in textiles to build my artistic realm. Despite needing a job, I saved diligently and applied for scholarships to attend Parsons’ MFA Textile program in New York.
Balancing two jobs during my master’s degree was challenging, but my unwavering determination comes from the genuine happiness and pride I find in creating art that deeply touches people’s souls. I do not seek fame or wealth; instead, I yearn to recreate the profound inspiration that has touched my very being. This inspiration has evolved into the driving force behind my unyielding persistence.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Yu-Jei Yen, and I am a New York-based textile artist/ Knitwear Designer from Taiwan Holding a Master of Fine Arts in Textiles from Parsons School of Design. Currently, work full-time as a knitwear designer at Oscar de la Renta. I specialize in handmade fiber craftsmanship, particularly crochet, and have developed a deep passion for large-scale soft sculptures.
Navigating the complexities of my Asian (Taiwanese) heritage, I explore the intricate layers of identity through my art. The tension between Taiwan and China not only affects the safety of my hometown but also creates conflict in her household. After the Chinese Civil War, my grandfather along with many refugees fled to Taiwan with the democratic KMT party, where he met and married my grandmother. While my grandfather identifies as Chinese, my father who has never been to China also identifies as Chinese, and I, on the other hand, see myself as Taiwanese. The paradox of each generation identifying as different nationalities inspires me to explore and reveal the space in between.
My artistic process is constructing three-dimensional fiber sculptures meticulously, to convey emotion through abstract structures. While I honed the technical background, I hand crochet loop by loop, stitch by stitch, making it intuitively. As I free-handed craft intimate structures that connect tradition and innovation. Many of my three-dimensional sculptures incorporate new techniques that I invented including using the element of fire and burning textured details and color shifts into the work. Innovative technologies like projection mapping with my soft sculptures push the boundaries of the arts even further.
Through my work, I invite viewers to contemplate the intersections of tradition and modernity, heritage and innovation, knitting a narrative that speaks to the complexities of identity in a rapidly changing world.
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, I believe the three most impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge in my journey have been my education, the value of authenticity, and my willingness to seize opportunities.
Firstly, my education provided me with solid training in textile science. From spinning fibers and knitting panels to creating textiles and garments, this comprehensive background allowed me to understand the nature of textiles on a deeper level. It also enabled me to experiment with materials in diverse ways, enhancing my creative versatility.
Secondly, authenticity has been crucial for me. I constantly reflect on my work and question myself, which helps me understand my true position and intentions. By being honest with myself, I can create artwork that is genuine. I believe that the closer an artwork is to the artist’s true self, the more powerful and resonant it becomes for the audience.
Lastly, I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to showcase my work in galleries, collaborate with boutiques at Mott Street in SOHO for window display design, and work with fashion brand Monse on Doja Cat’s VMA red carpet dress in 2023. These opportunities, which came my way before graduating from Parsons, were made possible by my willingness to work hard, respond quickly, and cooperate effectively with clients and fellow artists. I believe that this willingness has helped me gain successive chances and contribute meaningfully to my field.
For those early in their journey, my advice would be to invest in learning what you love, remain true to your authentic self, and be proactive in seizing opportunities. Embrace every chance to learn and grow, and approach each situation with a positive, hardworking attitude.
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 seeking collaboration opportunities with a variety of professionals in the art and design fields. Specifically, I am looking for curators who are enthusiastic about showcasing my work and assisting in the development of my artist profile. I am keen to engage with individuals who can facilitate the presentation of my textile art in exhibitions and galleries.
Additionally, I am interested in partnering with visual artists, photographers, and projection mapping specialists who are interested in exploring innovative perspectives on textiles. By integrating textile art to push the boundaries of traditional art forms.
Furthermore, I am open to working with artists and activists who are committed to using art as a medium for important social conversations. I believe it will bring art into meaningful dialogues or advocate for social change through creative expression.
For those interested in exploring these opportunities, please contact me through my Instagram @yujeiyen_textile. I look forward to the possibility of working together to create impactful and innovative art.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @yujeiyen_textile
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yujeiyen/
Image Credits
Photographer JungFeng Liu, Instagram @lonfom
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