Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yutong Xie, a Chinese visual artist currently based in New York. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yutong, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I believe in practice and patience. I am not seeking a specific purpose in my life. Instead, I take pleasure in the process of working with visual art, even when I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing, all while maintaining a sincere and diligent attitude. When I first entered a design studio class at college, my heart filled with love. The various design software options, with their multitude of functions, fascinated me, and I experienced a sense of liberation. Clicking through the icons felt like wielding a magic wand to create visual wonders. This feeling still resides within me every day as I continue to learn and practice visual art. I can only say that I find a sense of purpose within the realm of visual art, though not the purpose itself, as I hope to protect my curiosity.
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?
Since 2015, I have immersed myself in the world of visual art, exploring graphic, 3D, print, and production design. I cherish the creative moments shared with artists from all walks of life, each bringing their unique life stories and imaginative perspectives. Over the years, I’ve actively participated in drawing sessions, experimental styling series, and online digital design workshops. Currently, I reside in New York City, embracing life as a visual artist. My current project is a story set in the Internet age, starting from the 1990s, revolving around a metropolitan woman living in 2100. She grapples with interpersonal relationship issues involving three AI-generated men, each designed to have personalized traits tailored to her. In my free time, I meticulously plan creative sessions for filmmaking with my artist friends. We collaborate in designing sets and engage in every aspect of creative artistry. These moments of creativity shared with my friends hold a special place in my heart.
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?
The three qualities that have had the most profound impact on me are openness, respectfulness, and courage. Openness empowers me to embrace learning and change. I often find myself veering away from repetitive design patterns, as I’m drawn to playful and dynamic design that constantly evolves, offering surprises along the way. Perfection doesn’t hold much appeal for me; I can recognize it, but I deliberately choose to infuse a touch of rebellion into my work. I don’t separate work from life; having a playful approach to work is vital for me to relish the art-making process. In terms of knowledge, I believe that understanding the broader societal context is paramount. Even as a specialist, I value having a generalist friend who can provide alternative perspectives among people. I make it a daily practice to explore platforms like are.na to uncover diverse viewpoints on visual art and gain insights into what others are thinking about the same subject.
With warm regards to all fellow artists on Earth, I encourage everyone to take their time. When I witness others rushing towards the finish line, I can’t help but feel a tinge of sadness for the loss of playfulness. To me, growing up doesn’t mean childhood ends; it means learning to gracefully navigate both childhood and adulthood, much like skillfully riding the waves in Rincon, Puerto Rico, or smoothly cruising in your ’87 Toyota through the mountains of Szechuan, China. Embracing the process and welcoming real-time surprises can bring relaxation to all. Visual art serves as a form of education, where artists present a snapshot of their thoughts to the audience. The audience, in turn, can take their time to patiently decipher the message. There’s no need for strict order; the process itself can be an exhilarating adventure.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past year, I’ve delved deeply into the art of communication that allows me to accurately express who I am and what I want, all while maintaining respect. This journey unfolded through numerous collaborations with a diverse group of international artists, and it taught me valuable lessons in addressing disagreements. I used to be inclined toward people-pleasing, often avoiding any potential chaos in conversations. However, I came to realize that conversations can serve as peaceful and artful tools for harmonizing chaos. This revelation encouraged me to be more honest and playful in my interactions.
In the context of visual art sessions and collaborative multimedia projects with fellow artists, I’ve discovered that establishing respectful, agreed-upon boundaries and maintaining trust for the unknown are crucial aspects of effective communication. I am deeply appreciative of my past mistakes and grateful to all the individuals who have supported me throughout this transformative journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yutongxie.com/
