We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jiaming You a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jiaming, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My love for art museums blossomed during my childhood, captivating me with the beauty, grandeur, passion, drama, and profound nature of artistic expressions. This initial encounter left a lasting impression on me. In my spare time, from the age of 7 to 18, I immersed myself in the art of splash-ink painting under the tutelage of a skilled master of “water and ink.” During my college years, I explored subjects like biology and psychology, working in laboratories. However, these paths never felt quite right. It was only when I made the firm decision to declare an art major that everything started to fall into place. Graduating from college with a major in art, I pursued a post-baccalaureate program in painting and eventually earned an MFA in painting. Now, I dedicate myself to being a full-time studio artist. It has been an exhilarating journey filled with twists and turns, leading me to where I am today.

Jiaming, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello readers of CanvasRebel! I am Jiaming You, a painter and installation artist currently based in Chicago. My artistic practice revolves around capturing the bodies of BIPOC individuals within various physical and imaginative spaces. Through my paintings, I aim to depict moments of physical engagement or interactions between the body and personal objects, highlighting how personal identities and social influences shape one’s appearance and behavior. To enhance the dramatic impact and evoke specific moods, I employ saturated colors and high contrasts in my work.

The driving force behind my art stems from a desire to present a diverse range of bodies, particularly those belonging to individuals who are underrepresented in the traditional art canon based on their race, gender, and social backgrounds. I devote significant effort to securing exhibition and publication opportunities to ensure that a wider audience can witness and engage with my art. Additionally, as a studio artist, I actively participate in art residencies, fostering in-depth conversations with fellow artists and sharing my own experiences.

Over the years, I have also gained valuable professional experience in art handling by working at galleries and art fairs. These experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the art industry and its intricacies.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my personal view, attending art exhibitions and sharing about them on social media is a wonderful way to demonstrate care and support for artists at no cost. However, the most significant form of support one can offer an artist is by purchasing their artwork. Collectors play a vital role in assuring artists that there is a market for their work. Moreover, it enables artists to sustain a full-time studio practice without needing additional employment to make ends meet. Understandably, some individuals may feel intimidated by the process of visiting galleries and engaging with sales agents to acquire art pieces. For those individuals, I recommend exploring online art selling platforms, which have become more prevalent during the pandemic. These platforms provide an accessible avenue for new collectors to find artwork within their budget range.

I have a friend named Michal Dzitko who recently launched an online art selling platform called “Stooodio.” You will soon find my work available on the platform. Additionally, in October, I will be part of a significant duo exhibition with Chicago-based fine art photographer Linye Jiang at W. Gallery. I encourage you to visit the gallery’s website (https://www.wdotgallery.com/) in October when the show will be on display. If you reside in Chicago, please mark your calendars and join us for the show opening! We will have beautiful art and delightful drinks awaiting your presence.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A few years ago, as I embarked on my career as a studio artist, I discovered the Ox-Bow Artist Residency in Saugatuck, Michigan. With its remarkable history of over a century as an art school and artist community, Ox-Bow’s artist residency had garnered national recognition. Excited by the prospect, I eagerly applied to their summer residency through the fellowship program in 2021. However, despite my hopes, I received a rejection letter.

Undeterred by this setback, I decided to persevere and try again the following year, in the spring of 2022. This time, my determination paid off, and I was thrilled to receive an acceptance letter for their “Conversation in Practice” virtual residency. Although it wasn’t the summer residency I initially aimed for, I was grateful for the opportunity to participate and further develop my artistic practice.

To my surprise and delight, my journey didn’t end there. In the summer of 2022, I received an unexpected email from Bobby Gonzales, the program manager at Ox-Bow. He reached out to invite me to apply for their fall residency program. This was an incredible opportunity that I simply couldn’t pass up. I was overjoyed when I learned that I had been selected, and I was fortunate enough to spend an entire month at Ox-Bow alongside other exceptionally talented artists.

During my time at the residency, I had the privilege of engaging in studio visits with acclaimed artists Jay Chung and Tony Lewis. These experiences were truly remarkable and highlighted the transformative power of such opportunities.

This story reflects the reality that as artists, we often face rejection and setbacks along the way. However, by maintaining a resilient and determined mindset, we can continue to pursue our artistic goals. It is through persistence and unwavering dedication that we eventually find our rewards. The journey of a studio artist is filled with ups and downs, but each challenge serves as a stepping stone towards personal growth and artistic fulfillment.

Contact Info:

• Website: jiamingyou.net
• Instagram: @jiamingyou_studio

Image Credits
First three photos- Photo courtesy artist Jiaming You Last two photos- Image courtesy Wrightwood 659