10 Questions with p:d - Shuochun Xiang

p:d (Shuochun Xiang) (b. 1997) is a London-based artist from Jiangsu, China. After graduating from the Xian Academy of Fine Art in traditional Chinese Painting, she now studies MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art.She has exhibited both in London and internationally in South Korea and China.

pdishere.com | @pd_www

ARTIST STATEMENT

Integrating her life practice into her artistic practice, her work was involved in a wide range of media, including but not limited to sculpture, moving images, text, and performance. p:d tends to choose basic and daily materials, focuses on East Asian social issues from a female perspective, and explores themes of alienation and body politics.

INTERVIEW

Let's talk about yourself first. Why are you an artist, and how did you become one? 

Hi there, I'm p:d from China. Growing up as a typical middle-class kid in the rigorous East Asian education system, my childhood was filled with heavy academic demands. However, I don't want to dwell on the pain and trauma of it all. For me, childhood was a magical and intriguing time, and as someone who loves to reflect, I have spent countless hours questioning and observing the world around me. As a result, I developed a strong desire to express myself through both words and art. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in fine arts, I realized that I could use a wider range of mediums to convey my inner voice and thoughts, which is why I chose the path of contemporary art.

How would you define yourself as an artist? And how has this definition changed over the years? 

I don't want to define my artistic identity through the medium of my work. Over the years, my creative expression has taken many different forms. I write poetry and create paintings and sculptures, and in the future, I'll experiment with even more mediums and materials. For me, the most important thing is to keep exploring, feeling, and expressing myself with curiosity and openness.

You are currently living in London. How is the city influencing your art? Is it any different from when you were living in China?

I think London is a great city with many world-class art galleries. Objectively speaking, the cultural atmosphere, contemporary art exhibition quality, and quantity in this city are superior to those in China. It provides me with many opportunities to witness the works of masters in person, which greatly broadens my horizons. For example, last year, I was greatly inspired by the Louise Bourgeois exhibition at the Southbank Centre.
On the other hand, the diverse, open, and inclusive academic environment in the UK has given me the opportunity to try out more forms of expression that may be limited in China.

What messages are you trying to communicate with your art? And what do you think differentiates your approach from others?

As a contemporary artist, I have my own perspective on this issue. For me, I am not willing to see my artwork as an object that is used to communicate my "ideas" to the audience. Instead, I tend to believe that my artwork is an embodiment of myself or another subject. If the audience can feel or receive any information from my artwork, I would prefer it to be a consensus reached between the audience and the artwork rather than passively receiving my information output. 
As for the differences, I think every artist's personal experience and expression are inherently different. I like to capture the moments of inspiration in life and expand them into my artwork.

You work with different mediums, from sculpture, moving images, text, and performance to installations. What is your preferred medium, the one you feel more comfortable working with? 

I am currently most drawn to working with sculpture as my medium of choice. There are a variety of reasons for this, but primarily I appreciate the richness of materials available for me to work with. Unlike flat paintings or drawings, sculpture can be observed and experienced from a variety of angles and distances, which creates different visual and perceptual effects.
Furthermore, the form and materials of sculpture can be combined and altered in a multitude of ways, allowing for a diverse and vivid range of artistic effects that can interact with the surrounding environment. I believe that using different mediums and materials allows artists to better express their creative ideas and unique personal characteristics.
Compared to other mediums like painting, sculpture can establish a communicative relationship with viewers more quickly and tangibly while also giving them more power and space to interpret and experience the work. Ultimately, I find that sculpture's static nature can be empowering for viewers to engage with it in their own way, which is an exciting aspect of my artistic process.

What about themes? Do you have recurring ones you often feel drawn to? 

Yes, I have always been deeply skeptical of the ways in which power structures seek to control and discipline our lives. Many of my works stem from this theme, often exploring the alienation of the human experience and its relationship to power.
In my 2022 series, "I don't like cooking," I drew inspiration from mundane household chores like kneading dough to explore issues of bodily alienation and the relationship between humans and machines. Through these works, I sought to question the ways in which power structures use technology to distance us from our own bodies and the natural world.
Moving forward into my 2023 works, I am leaning more towards pieces that utilize metaphors related to human vulnerability and ephemerality. I believe that art has the power to explore and confront difficult truths about the human experience, including our inherent fragility and mortality. By creating works that tap into these themes, I hope to encourage viewers to reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they are shaped by the forces of power and society.
Overall, my work is driven by a desire to challenge and disrupt dominant narratives and power structures while also exploring the complexities of the human experience. Through art, I seek to open up new possibilities for understanding and engaging with the world around us.

How has your art evolved over the years? And what inspired you to experiment?

I feel that my art has revolved around the themes that I want to explore in recent years, and I have been experimenting with various materials to bring these ideas to life.
One of the main themes that I have been exploring in my work is the concept of identity. I am fascinated by the idea of how our sense of self is constructed and how it can be influenced by external factors such as culture, history, and politics. Through my art, I seek to explore these ideas and challenge our preconceived notions of identity.
As a contemporary artist, my works are often inspired by studies in humanities, philosophy, and social sciences. Through my studies, I have gained a deeper understanding of the nature of human society and culture. In addition, I often find inspiration in great works of literature and art, such as the Japanese anime "EVA." This show has had a profound impact on me since I was young, long before I even began studying art. Its exploration of human emotions and psychology, as well as its exploration of the universe and technology, has deeply influenced my artistic practice.

You have exhibited extensively, both in galleries and museums. What do you think of digital exhibitions and presentations? Are they still relevant, and would you participate in one nowadays?

I have not yet participated in any online exhibitions. However, I assumed that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of online exhibitions, making them a more mature and viable option for artists and galleries. While online exhibitions have their limitations, they offer a valuable opportunity for artists and galleries to connect with a wider audience and explore new ways of presenting and experiencing art.

What do you think of the art community and market? And how do you keep your collectors and peers engaged with your art? 

As a contemporary artist, I have mixed feelings about the art community and market. On the one hand, I appreciate the opportunities for exposure and recognition that the art community and market can offer. On the other hand, I am wary of the commercialization of art and the pressure it can put on artists to create work that is marketable rather than authentic.
To keep my collectors and peers engaged with my art, I focus on creating work that is true to my own artistic vision and style. I believe that authenticity is key to building a dedicated audience of collectors and supporters. I also strive to maintain a consistent presence on social media and other online platforms, sharing my creative process and connecting with my audience.
In addition to online engagement, I also make an effort to participate in exhibitions and events within the art community. This allows me to connect with other artists, curators, and collectors and to gain exposure to my work. I also value the feedback and critiques I receive from my peers, as it helps me to grow and develop as an artist.

And lastly, what are you working on now? Do you have any new projects or exhibitions you want to tell us about?

I am very happy to invite everyone to the RCA year two student graduation exhibition, which will take place on July 13th at the Truman Brewery. I am currently working on a series of standing sculptures that will be showcased as part of my graduation exhibit. While I haven't yet decided on a title for the series, I can share that the work will explore themes related to repetitive trauma experienced in the domestic sphere.
Creating these sculptures has been a deeply personal and introspective journey for me as I have explored my own experiences with trauma and the ways in which these experiences are often relegated to the private sphere of the home. Through my work, I hope to challenge the viewer's assumptions about the domestic sphere and shine a light on the often-overlooked struggles that take place within it.
I am excited to share this body of work with the public and to engage with viewers about the themes and ideas that inform my practice. I believe that art has the power to spark important conversations and challenge our assumptions about the world around us. I hope that my work will inspire reflection and dialogue, and I look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.