We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jp Wang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with JP below.
JP, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
If you had asked the 20-year-old me, I would have answered that I wished I had started my art career sooner. For days and nights, I pondered the “what if” question, wondering how things could have been different. When I first began my art journey, it felt rough and overwhelming. Unlike my cohort, who were already well-versed in techniques and familiar with the art world’s terms, I felt left behind and ashamed. That toxic mindset of comparing myself to others and feeling inadequate lingered for years, fueling my drive to achieve perfection.
It wasn’t until I completed my graduate thesis that I realized something transformative. Technique, while important, is not the heart of the piece. Aesthetically beautiful work is subjective, and its value isn’t measured solely by how polished or technically flawless it is. That shift in perspective allowed me to break free from the perfectionist mindset that had held me back.
Looking back now, I can see that none of my time was wasted—even the periods when I hadn’t realized art would become my career. Though I was once told I wasn’t naturally gifted in art, my lived experiences have shaped the artist I am today, informing what I want to express. I’m proud of the journey I’ve taken, and I no longer wish to start my art career at any other time. Every step along the way was necessary to get to where I am now, and for that, I have no regrets.
JP, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started my creative journey after shifting from economics to the arts, sparked by a scriptwriting class that changed my path. From there, I explored stage management, directing, and ultimately found my passion in installation art and immersive environments. My work is deeply rooted in the human experience, focusing on emotions like grief, joy, and connection, creating spaces that allow people to reflect and process their emotions.
I specialize in immersive experiences through both physical installations and virtual environments. My goal is to provide spaces where individuals can connect with their emotions and with others. I also collaborate across theater, immersive entertainment, and art industries, offering creative consulting and helping bring meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences to life.
What sets my work apart is my dedication to creating emotional connections. I focus on crafting experiences that move beyond aesthetics to evoke genuine human reflection. My background in theater and immersive media gives me a unique approach to storytelling, blending space and emotion in ways that engage both the mind and the heart.
I’m most proud of The Spring of the Unperished, an installation designed as a space for mourning and reflection. It embodies my mission to create emotionally safe, contemplative environments that help people connect with their inner selves.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the peace I’ve found within my mind. Before I started creating, I felt like I was constantly drowning in my thoughts, overwhelmed by their presence and the way they seemed to grow endlessly. It was maddening at times, feeling like there was no escape. But when I was introduced to art, everything changed. I finally found an outlet for my emotions—a way to release what had been building inside me for so long.
Through creating, I’ve discovered fulfillment and a sense of calm that I hadn’t experienced before. It’s given me the space to process and express what I couldn’t put into words. For that, I am deeply grateful. In art, I’ve found a way to make peace with myself, and that is the greatest reward I could ever ask for.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My purpose as an artist is to create an independent, parallel world where people can momentarily escape from their burdens and worries. When audiences step into the space of my work, I want them to feel free—free to release their emotions, whether through tears or love. My art is born from deep empathy, and I hope that by engaging with it, people can find a personal connection that allows them to pause, reflect, and recharge.
I aim to craft spaces where people can sit and immerse themselves, feeling emotionally bound to the work in a way that offers comfort and healing. To me, my work is not just art; it’s a form of therapy for those who encounter it. My goal is for people to walk away feeling lighter, more at peace, or simply more connected with themselves. If my art can help someone find solace or emotional release, then I feel I’ve succeeded in my mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wangjingpei.com
Image Credits
Image credit Tian Liu