10 Questions with Xinyu Wo

Born in 1996 in Ningbo, China, Xinyu Wo is a visual artist now living in New York. Her works are the visual presentation of absurd times, scenery, and personal history. She likes to apply concrete techniques to describe reality and then endows it with the imagination of surrealism, which she is willing to call social surrealism. She is specialized in using a critical, witty aesthetic to tell the stories in her works. Her most recent solo show is at the VillageOneArt Gallery, in New York

@wo_xinyu

ARTIST STATEMENT

Xinyu Wo's art aims to explore the connection between human nature and social reality, triggering viewers to reflect on their inner worlds through visual presentation. Immersed in observing absurd social realities and personal histories, she seeks to find the brightness of humanity amidst chaotic societal images. Influenced by philosophers like Kant, her contemplation of moral laws and the beauty of human nature drives her to continually explore the meaning of human existence. She believes that moral laws and the beauty of human nature represent the ultimate pursuit of civilization, embodying the noble quest of the human spirit. Therefore, Xinyu's creative process is an exploration of the positive aspects of human nature, showcasing the beauty she sees through visual representation.

In the exploration of social reality and personal history, she strives to capture visually captivating elements, infusing images with dramatic tension and surrealist associations. Interweaving dreams with reality through representational oil painting techniques, Xinyu Wo constructs personal memories that intertwine space and time, illustrating the connection between the inner world and external reality. By dramatizing images to increase tension and using surrealist techniques to arrange elements, she aims to attract viewers to explore the meanings behind her works.

The Moral World, Oil on Canvas, 48x60 inches, 2024 © Xinyu Wo

INTERVIEW

Please introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how would you define yourself as an artist?

I am a painter who creates realistic images in a surrealistic style. My works are characterized by a strong narrative and a sense of chaos. As a creator, my mission and goal are to show the audience the romantic and uncontrollable side of life, to bring creativity to this world, and to give the chaotic human nature a moment of respite.

What is your artistic journey? How did you first start making art and how did you develop into the artist you are today?

In 2021, I graduated from SVA MFA Fine Arts without any money. I had not yet become a full-time artist, so I took a full-time job helping others do business. I had never thought of having any "full-time office job"; I had always wanted to work in a creative field. But at that time, I had to learn how to help others do business in order to survive. Using my creative thinking, I extrapolated business information I encountered and came up with several new business ideas, which I later turned into projects. The results were good. Although working in the office provided me with a stable income, I did not want to continue living like that. Most of our lives are spent dealing with work, so choosing a career we love is crucial. Although any career involves pushing stones uphill and downhill, we can choose a stone we enjoy pushing. During my free time at the office job, I started paying attention to information related to the art market. What kind of artists do galleries need? What kind of art can stand the test of time? After observing for a while, I realized this was something I could do. I also analyzed my strengths and time costs. Would I be a good creator? Would I have the time and energy to do this? Could I do this well? The answer was that I was very suitable for this. At that time, I didn't think about how I would end up if I failed; I only cared about becoming an artist, an independent creator, whether this would bring me joy, and how I could do it best. When I first decided to become an artist, I had to go to the office five days a week, so I spent 4 hours after work and weekends creating paintings. I posted my creations on Instagram, and slowly, a few months later, some art dealers found me and invited me to participate in group exhibitions. After a few more months, VillageoneArt Gallery offered me my first solo exhibition. I am very grateful to VillageoneArt Gallery for creating this opportunity for me. Most of my works were sold, and through this solo exhibition, many galleries and collectors became aware of me.

What experiences or encounters shaped your personality and influenced your work as an artist? Do you have any story or special memory that you deem pivotal for your career?

In the images I construct, the main themes are surrealism and strong narrative. This requires a rich imagination and the ability to make visual associations. During my childhood, I was often excluded for being quiet and reserved, which made me feel unhappy. In a traditional East Asian family, children around the age of 10 have no leisure time; they are basicallyforced to complete homework or passively learn other skills. However, I'm the lucky one; my mother would often play computer games with me; she's like my best friend, which was a very happy time for me. We basically played all the popular games in China at that time. The rich characters and visuals in computer games provided me with a great visual experience and played an important role in developing my ability to make visual associations later on.

Let's talk about your work. Could you describe your creative process, from the initial idea to the final artwork? How do you incorporate elements of surrealism and dramatic tension in your paintings?

The whole process is very much like cooking. Usually, when I'm on the subway, walking, or seeing any billboards on the street, listening to music, or even dreaming at midnight, unique images will come into my mind. This process is like selecting ingredients before cooking. For me, inspiration is everywhere due to my long-term habit of associating images. I have my own unique way of looking at everyday images. For example, when I see people fighting on the street, I see a kind of beauty in chaos. In addition, I really enjoy hunting for interesting images. I like reading books, looking at things I haven't seen before, and I also like watching operas. In my daily life, I need to experience beauty. So, for me, gettinginspired is a very simple thing. I usually carry a notebook with me, and whenever I have a good idea, I write it down. But as I said, the process of creating a work is like cooking. After having the ingredients, you need to light the fire and season it. How much salt and soy sauce to add is a very important consideration. Therefore, in a work, what requires more thought is how to piece together these fragmented inspirations. Generally, I consider two directions: whether the images I create can give people a strong visual impact and whether they can allow the audience to come up with their owninterpretations.

Dance At the End of The Light, Oil on Canvas, 24x36 inches, 2024 © Xinyu Wo

In your statement, you mention being influenced by philosophers like Kant. How do they influence your artistic vision? And what lessons did you learn from their work that you are now applying to yours?

The study of philosophy is very important for artists. Whenever I feel confused and in need of answers, I turn to philosophy. Philosophers dedicate their lives to seeking the truth and have made significant contributions to the development of human civilization. An artist's perspective on the world is closely related to the philosophical ideas they absorbed in their early years. Their worldview and methodology are reflected in their artwork, so reading philosophy is a fundamental methodology for becoming an artist. From another perspective, the work of an artist is actually similar to that of a philosopher. Both seek the truth, but philosophers convey truth through words, while artists convey truth through images.
For me, the theories in Immanuel Kant's work "Critique of Practical Reason" have been very inspiring: "Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me." As a creator, my mission and goal are to show the romantic and chaotic side of life to the audience, allowing the disorderly human nature to have a moment of respite. I believe that moralprinciples and the beauty of human nature represent the ultimate pursuit of civilization and the meaning of human existence. The charm of art lies in creating a space that does not exist. If reality is imperfect, then I can create a perfect two-dimensional space through images.

Can you elaborate on how you conceptualize your projects? What themes or questions do you start with when creating a new piece?

In my daily art creation, I am a very efficient artist. Usually, before starting work on a large oil canvas, I have alreadyprepared some sketches. I typically choose to start painting the most complete image because some images are already visually rich before they become specific large oil paintings, so I don't need to constantly modify and explore during the creation process (although continuously modifying during the creative process can also be a very interesting process).

The Arabian Nights, Oil on Canvas, 48x60 inches, 2023 © Xinyu Wo

Your work explores both personal history and social realities. How do you choose which personal memories or societal issues to focus on in your art?

In my personal history, I typically choose the parts that bring me joy, those that I feel can reveal the beauty of human nature. When it comes to social phenomena, I am passionate about seeking out story elements in other people's daily lives and in the news.

What do you hope viewers take away from your art? How do you aim to trigger reflection on their inner worlds and the broader social realities they live in?

I hope that viewers take away a sense of finding beauty and contemplation amidst the chaos in my art. Through surrealistic images and carefully chosen elements, I aim to trigger reflection on the complexities of human nature and societal norms. By using Impressionist color palettes and unique visual expressions, I want to offer viewers a harmonious yet thought-provoking experience that encourages them to delve deeper into their inner worlds and the broader social realities they inhabit. Ultimately, I hope my art serves as a catalyst for introspection and sparks conversations about the deeper truths and meanings that shape our existence.

Another Day In Spring, Oil on Canvas, 48x60 inches, 2024 © Xinyu Wo

What specific surrealist techniques do you find most effective in your work, and how do they help you convey the connection between the inner world and external reality?

In my art, I have found that deviating from traditional representations of reality through surrealistic techniques is most effective. By manipulating the combination of elements and composition, I can create a visual language that challenges viewers' perceptions and encourages them to consider alternative perspectives. This technique helps me convey the connection between the inner world and external reality, presenting a distorted yet captivating reflection of human nature and societal norms. Through surrealistic images, I can explore the complexities and contradictions of human existence, inviting viewers to delve into their inner worlds and contemplate the broader social realities they inhabit. This technique not only sparks curiosity and introspection but also provides viewers with a space to explore the deeper truths and meanings hidden within our everyday experiences. Surrealist techniques serve as a bridge for me, connecting the chaotic external world with the contemplative inner world and fostering dialogue between the two realms through visually captivating and thought-provoking imagery.

Lastly, what are your future artistic goals? Are there any new themes or techniques you are eager to explore in your upcoming projects?

Before this, I spent a lot of time dealing with visas and basic survival issues. My current plan is to start large-scale creation after solving some basic problems. The next thing I will do is to turn all the accumulated drafts into large-scale oil paintings. At the same time, I also need to learn a lot. I want to understand what different industries are doing in the world, what rules they are following, and what kind of lives different people are living, which is very important for a creator. Then, I will refine all the elements of the images to form a more distinctive personal style. If given the opportunity, I also want to get involved in some large art projects. As for themes, I think I will focus more on AI topics.The arrival of the AI era undoubtedly has an unprecedented impact on human civilization. How we position ourselves and how we continue to find our happiness are worth exploring.

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.

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