Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Qiyuan Xiao. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Qiyuan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Title of the project: tú mí, 荼靡 Link to the project: https://qiyuanxiao.com/9

Introduction:

<Dream of the Red Chamber>, 《紅樓夢》, is an epic ancient Chinese novel that has 120 chapters. The authors described the lifestyles of the boudoir beauties and the decline of a large aristocracy family.

There’re eleven metaphoric poems appear in the main male character’s dream in the fifth chapter. These poems indicates the tragic fates of the twelve female characters’(Twelve Beauties of Jinling, 金陵十二釵). P.S. The first poem is shared by two characters.

Based on the eleven poems, I created eleven images of 3D modeling using Nomad to show the scenarios in my head when I read the poems and my understanding of each female characters after I read the whole novel.

The title of this work is from a poem that the author quoted in the novel which I think ideally defines the tragic fates of the twelve female characters:

“開到荼蘼(tú mí)花事了。”
“The flowers have bloomed to the point of collapse.”
– 王淇 • 《春暮游小園》
– Wang Qi • Spring Evening Stroll in a Small Garden

Why is this project meaningful to me:

As a radical feminist from China, I have always had a strong desire to explore my own culture and identity through my work these years.

I think these 3D scenarios embodies the tragedy of women under the compression of ancient Chinese society: being confined at home, not having freedom of marriage, polygamy and so on. These shackles of the times still exist in different forms in modern China and even part of all Asian women nowadays.

Another project that has similar meaning:

<The Mother, 链(Chain)>, a character design 3D model based on the news <Xuzhou mother: Video of chained woman in hut outrages China internet>.

Link to the news: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60194080

In this work, the woman is wearing a dress with traditional Chinese wedding elements. Her empty eyes, the strange smile, multiple chains over her body, and open breasts suggest that her motherhood is being sold as a commodity in a dirty trade.

Link to this work: https://qiyuanxiao.com/1-The-Mother

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

Personal statement:

Qí Yuán Xiāo 肖淇元
Digital Artist, Illustrator
Born in Shenzhen, China
Based in New York & Shenzhen
Graduated from Parsons School of Design | The New School, majoring in illustration.
Art about feminism, mental health, Chinese culture and some cute stuff.

My story:

When I was a child, I used to attend amateur art classes, sparking my interest in the world of art. During my primary school years, my friends and I would create drawings and sell them to earn some pocket money. We divided the tasks amongst ourselves, with some responsible for drafting, others for outlining, and some for coloring. Typically, we could sell a drawing for 1 to 2 RMB. To be frank, we probably didn’t even cover our production costs, but the joy we derived from it was priceless. It wasn’t until high school that I enrolled in an art course, marking the moment when I truly committed to the idea of becoming an artist.

Upon entering college, I found myself in a period of uncertainty. While I was learning various artistic techniques, I struggled to pinpoint my artistic direction. Additionally, due to the pandemic, I took online classes in China from the second semester of my freshman year until the first semester of my junior year. This feeling of being disconnected often left me feeling lost and directionless.

Upon returning to New York, I began experimenting with 3D art, and gradually, my artistic direction became clearer. In one instance, during an illustration class centered around the theme of “horror,” I created a 3D model of a character’s head with bleeding eyes, encircled by vigilant eyeballs. (Link to this work: https://qiyuanxiao.com/2-SHREK)This character bore a resemblance to “Shrek,” an insulting nickname I had been given by a middle school bully. This artwork not only helped me face my fear and heal from my personal traumas but also marked the inception of my exploration into complex themes such as darkness, painfulness, and redemption.

Building upon this foundation, my creative ideas continued to evolve. My friends and I maintained a deep interest in women’s issues and engaged in frequent discussions surrounding feminist ideologies. Perhaps influenced by my family’s journalistic background, I had a persistent attraction to journalism and literature. As previously mentioned(previous page), the inspiration for the two projects(<The Mother, 链(Chain)>&<tú mí, 荼靡>) stemmed from these interests.

Following my graduation, I secured a position at a feminist bookstore called Accent Sisters(Official Instagram: https://instagram.com/accentsisters?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). In addition to my role as a clerk, I also assumed responsibilities as an aesthetic consultant and designer. Despite its name, the establishment was more akin to a literary and artistic space. Upon entering, visitors were greeted by a gallery space before reaching the bookstore section. Alongside a diverse array of books, the bookstore also offered cultural and creative products, including vinyl records. An exciting opportunity arose for me to curate exhibitions, and with the founder’s help, I curated my inaugural exhibition, “The Chain, 链(Liàn).” This exhibition centered around women’s issues, showcasing the harsh realities of women’s oppression and their struggles to break free from these chains. (Link to the exhibition: https://www.instagram.com/p/CunW30cJw1R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)My work at the bookstore was both intellectually stimulating and creatively inspiring. Furthermore, the bookstore regularly hosted various events, serving as a platform brimming with possibilities.

Empowering and giving a voice to women through my art is incredibly fulfilling. However, there are times when my work is misconstrued as erotic art. I would greatly appreciate it if viewers could look beyond the surface and recognize the deeper, intended meaning behind my creations.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, there is indeed a clear goal and mission driving my creative journey. My mission is to use my art to give voice to women and empower them. I want to create works that address women’s issues, challenge societal norms, and provoke meaningful discussions. Additionally, my creative journey involves delving into complex themes such as obscurity, pain, and redemption, which are often intertwined with personal experiences and emotions. By exploring these themes, I aim to not only heal and express myself but also to connect with and inspire others who may have similar experiences or feelings. Furthermore, I hope to combat the misinterpretation of my work as erotic art by encouraging viewers to look deeper and understand the profound messages and emotions behind each piece. In essence, my creative journey is guided by a mission to make a positive impact on society, shed light on important issues, and foster empathy and understanding through art.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As mentioned earlier, my artwork includes elements such as nudity and suicide scenes, which are topics that require advance notice for viewers. When building up my portfolio, I often faced skepticism, albeit some of it well-intentioned, about the highly stylized, dark, and unconventional nature of my work. There were concerns that it might be challenging to find employment with such a unique style.

In the lead-up to graduation, faculties in my illustration program organized a portfolio day where industry experts were invited to provide feedback on our work. On that evening, I received some profound advice from a seasoned professional. He advised me to create a portfolio that aligns more with mainstream aesthetics and is conducive to making a living. However, he stressed that I should never give up on being a fine artist.

This advice made me reflect deeply on my artistic path. While I understood the practicality of creating a portfolio for mainstream appeal, I remained steadfast in my commitment to my distinctive, dark and feminist style. I realized that I didn’t want to compromise my artistic vision entirely. Instead, I saw the value in having multiple facets to my work—a portfolio that might help me secure employment and a space where I could continue to explore and express myself as a fine artist.

Additionally, I’m profoundly grateful for the encouragement and appreciation I received from the founders of Accent Sisters Bookstore. Their support inspired me to continue pursuing my unique artistic style and vision. This pivotal moment taught me the importance of balance and adaptability in my creative journey, allowing me to explore different aspects of my art while staying true to my core.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://qiyuanxiao.com/
• Instagram: Main: @qqmiemie_ & Art: @aayuaan_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qiyuan-xiao/

Image Credits
Personal Photo credit to Leiya Wang