We were lucky to catch up with Nemo Chen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nemo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’m afraid I cannot recall the exact moment when I first realized that I wanted to become an artist, but I would be delighted to share with you how I came to that decision. To me, being an artist means delving deep into oneself, pushing the boundaries of self-discovery, and striving for authenticity at different levels of depth. It requires constant introspection and asking oneself how honest they are with themselves and their audience. Eventually, there comes a moment when one realizes that art is the only thing that can truly sustain them during times of spiritual despair. It’s not a choice, but rather a calling that seems to choose you. Once this belief takes root, the essence of “art” courses through one’s veins. As for the decision to go professional, it’s simply a matter of methodology, free from any fears or doubts. The only thing that matters is the passion and drive to create and share one’s art with the world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello folks! My name is Nemo Chen (陳薪旭), and I’m a photographer and visual artist from China, based in Chicago, Illinois. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and since then, I’ve been focusing primarily on artistic and experimental lens-based practices while simultaneously pursuing a career in fashion photography. As an artist, I strive to create personalized, figurative, and narrative expressions that explore the complex relationship between the external world and one’s inner self. I’ve always been fascinated by the infinite variations of individual self-identity and the fluidity that exists in ever-changing conditions. My work is characterized by a desire to visualize and contextualize poetic language in artistic narratives, using my creativity and the world around me as inspiration. I’m particularly drawn to luminous objects and often incorporate them into my pieces.
As a fashion photographer, I’m always looking for opportunities to collaborate with talents from different fields. My approach is focused on creating visuals that are both narrative-driven and theatrical, while still fully addressing the design concept. Ultimately, my goal is to create a unique ambiance that resonates with viewers and tells a compelling story.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Well, I supposed that NFTs could actually be really helpful for certain people and communities. They give artists who might not have had the same opportunities before a chance to gain recognition and make a living from their art. And since NFTs are a digital platform, artists can show off their work to a global audience without having to go through traditional gatekeepers like galleries or auction houses. This is especially important because systemic biases and discrimination have made it tough for some artists to break into the mainstream art world. But with NFTs, they can sell their work directly to collectors and fans, and get a fair share of the profits each time their work is sold or traded on the blockchain. This can help make sure that artists aren’t exploited or underpaid as they have been in the past. Of course, NFTs are not a perfect solution, we still need to figure out how to use NFTs in the best way possible. There are also some potential problems we need to think about, like whether everyone will be able to access them and how they’ll affect the environment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The moments about resonance. The echo with the self, and with others. You know that you are seen, heard, and perceived through your work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nemocxx.com
• Instagram: nemo.cxx
• Other: Little red book:薪旭陳 Weibo: nemocxx