Today we’d like to introduce you to Mengyuan Xue.
Hi Mengyuan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since a teenager, I have always been fascinated by narrative spaces that blur the line between boundaries, be it the boundaries between the real and the imagined, between physical spaces and internal headspace, or between cultures and nations. For example, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakam, Journey by thatgamecompany, Song of the Sea by Cartoon Saloon and many other beautiful works that I admire all blur the boundaries between life and death by creating fantastical, metaphoric spaces. The above works are of different media—novels, games and animations, but share comparable motifs and artistic approaches. Similarly, I’m invested in exploring a motif, which is creating other-worldly or magical realist spaces to critically looking at the real world that we inhabit, rather than limiting myself to a certain media.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
During my education up to collage, I felt miserable learning what I did not want to. But I was a stereotypical Asian kid so I worked hard to get As while I used the little spare time I had to write and create art. When I went to University of Toronto to study visual art, it was the first time I spent the majority of my day on something I chose to do, and it felt quite nice. Upon graduation, again I tried doing what I should, to work a “normal job”, and found myself miserable again. I could no longer get As doing what I didn’t like though, once I’d known what doing what I chose to do felt like. So I guess I never had any other choice but to go for a career in the creative industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I write and create art. When combining these two skills, I make animations and films. In 2024, a 15-minute animation that I had the great honor to have directed was released, and I’m honored to have received the 2024 3×3 Illustration Professional Show Merit Award. My strength lies in my ability to use imagery as a narrative tool.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Publications
– 2021: Children’s Book My Fairy Classmate, Illustrated by Mengyuan Xue, Written by Li Chang, Hunan Juvenile & Children’s Publishing House
– 2021: Short Story Food for Thought, Shanghai Literature Issue 526
– 2019: Short Story Mirrorbound Utopia, Shanghai Literature Issue 498
– 2017: Short Story Utopia, Shanghai Literature Issue 450
– 2012: Novel Recycle, Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House
– 2011: Novel Unsolidified Clearness, Shanghai Literature & Art Publishing House
– 2011: Novel Rhythm of Wind, Shandong Publishing House of Literature and Art
– 2010: Children’s Book Girls Who Plant Rainbows, Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House
– 2010: Short Story PM 7:14; Mailbox 208; Ching, American Letters & Commentary Issue 21
Awards and Honors
– 2024: 3×3 Illustration Professional Show Merit Award
– 2020: Urban Film Festival Best Screenplay Nomination
– 2020: Canada Shorts-Canadian International Short Film Fest. Merit and Honorable Mentions
– 2018: Canada-China Film Festival Best Cinematography Nomination
– 2017: Shanghai Cultural Foundation Young Screenwriter Grand
– 2010: Evelyn Cotter Book Award
– 2006: Third Golden Dragon Award: Bronze Award for Screenplay
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/mengyuan
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mengyuan.xue
Image Credits
Guan Li