10 Questions with Wen Liu

Wen Liu is a Chinese-born artist and interaction designer currently based in Beijing, China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Ohio University in 2018, where she focused on Fine Arts and Ceramics, honing her skills and developing a strong foundation in artistic expression. Following her undergraduate studies, Wen pursued a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Design degree at California College of the Arts in 2021, further expanding her knowledge and expertise in the intersection of art and technology.

With over a decade of experience in the United States and Europe, she brings a diverse cultural perspective to her practice. Wen's artistic journey revolves around exploring connections between individuals, nature, and environments. Through sculpture, painting, and installation, she delves into the complexities of human interaction, aiming to unravel the intricacies of cultural identity, belonging, and displacement. Inspired by her multicultural upbringing, Wen seeks to transcend cultural boundaries and deepen her understanding of the shared human experience.

wenliu.myportfolio.com | @wen_liu_chance

INTERVIEW

Could you share a bit about your background and upbringing in China and how they have influenced your journey as an artist?

In the days of my youth, I was drawn to the canvas, Captivated by beauty in all its forms. Yet, I couldn't fathom why or understand this inner flame. I felt the world with a tender touch, an innate sensitivity, and a spark within. Yet, my family paid no heed, and these passions were left unseen. No formal art lessons graced my path, Just the journey of a common student, But within, a love for creation burned bright, Though dismissed as mere amusement. Perhaps it's this lack of formal mold that left my art untouched and unbound.

You spent over a decade in the USA and Europe. How did your studies and experiences abroad shape your artistic practice and perspective?

The overseas learning environment has helped me establish my own rhythm, where life and studies each have their own tempo. Maybe it's because of being in a relatively free environment where not much intervention happened, or perhaps, it's just who I am - not easily influenced by others.
The second one is about the multicultural living environment, which has broadened my cognition extensively and made me more accepting of many things. This directly influences my approach to creating artwork; I'm willing to try various possibilities and not afraid of failure. I want to experiment with all materials and forms of expression.
As for the third point, having experienced a lot has instilled in me a strong desire to express myself. My artworks are like extensions of myself, and expressing myself is everything I want to do.

How does your multicultural upbringing inform your artistic vision, and how do you aim to transcend cultural boundaries through your work?

This question is actually quite interesting to me. If it were a year or two ago, I would have said "inclusivity" - multiculturalism made me more inclusive. But now, I'd like to say "self-identity," which may sound a bit contradictory. In fact, the more I understand, the more I know who I am and what kind of artworks I really want to create. I'm not influenced by any external force, but rather, I draw inspiration from all cultures, embracing diversity and harnessing its richness.

Your work spans sculpture, painting, and installation. Can you tell us about your creative process and how you decide which medium to use for a particular concept?

To be honest, my workflow feels a bit like waiting for inspiration to strike. Often, I'm not entirely sure what I want to create; I simply dive in and start working. The forms I create also emerge naturally, with my hands often moving faster than my mind. Similarly, my choice of materials follows a spontaneous approach. I experiment with different options and simply go with what I enjoy using without any particular rationale behind it.

In your statement, you mention human interaction, cultural identity, belonging, and displacement as your central themes. What messages do you want to convey with your work?

 It's something everyone spends their whole lives searching for: "Who am I, and why am I alive?" I'm simply expressing who I am, without trying to convey human interaction, belonging, or displacement. These are just aspects of my personal journey that I'm sharing. In my work, I incorporate the self-awareness that has emerged from these experiences—the most authentic self-awareness I possess.  

In your opinion, what role does art play in fostering deeper understanding and empathy in society?

Sincerity, pain, and love

Are there any specific artists, movements, or cultural influences that inspire or influence your work?

Ken Unsworth, Sarah Sze, Olafur Eliasson

Do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions you're excited about sharing with your audience?

I'm currently working on a new series of artworks that revolves around some of the new feelings and experiences I've had in the past year. Specifically, it's about "love and restraint."

On a broader note, how do you see the intersection of art and technology shaping the future of artistic expression, and how do you envision your role within that intersection?

Heidegger said, "The crisis of nihilism is the crisis of modern civilization as a technological age." Because the essence of technology is to first turn "existence" into a recognizable object, an understandable "existent," and then to conquer and control it, technology is like formatting a computer, formatting everything. In this way, the human world of existence loses all mystery, and there is no source of meaning. Additionally, I am quite resistant to computers, but they don't affect my use of them. I feel like my role is that of an observer of that kind, which also provides me with the new experience of doing my own work. 

And lastly, after so many international experiences, where do you see yourself and your work five years from now?

 Actually, I don't know, we will see.  

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.