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

Jiaqi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have been passionate about drawing since childhood. Growing up in different places and experiencing varied environments has greatly impacted me and my art. My parents, who work in the retail jewelry and jewelry design business, influenced me with their creativity and passion for art and design. Artistic tools were my constant companions, and I spent my early years immersed in crafting characters and worlds of my own.

I was born in Fujian, a province in southeast China rich in folk culture, which nurtured my early love for art. Later, my family moved to Jiangsu, one of China’s most economically developed regions, where the open cultural atmosphere encouraged me to pursue art more seriously. A short-term study in architectural design in Australia further broadened my artistic horizons, exposing me to diverse art forms and cultural perspectives.

These experiences ultimately inspired me to move to New York City to advance my artistic journey. I am honored to have studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts, where the structured curriculum and in-depth research have helped me grow as an artist. I am particularly passionate about creating illustrations with rich narratives and atmospheres, aiming to convey meaningful expressions and evoke emotions in my audience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Jiaqi (Adrien) Tang, a freelance illustrator and curator based in New York. As an illustrator, my passion lies in presenting the worlds, stories, and characters I create. I focus on crafting illustrations with a strong sense of narrative and atmosphere, often connecting my storytelling with metaphors that reflect real-world issues.

After graduating from college, I had the opportunity to step into the world of curating. This role expanded my understanding of art and its broader possibilities. I started working at a Brooklyn-based gallery, initially as a gallery assistant and social media coordinator, and eventually transitioned into the role of curator. Unlike being an illustrator, where I tell my own stories, curating is about providing a platform for artists to share theirs. This responsibility aligns with my understanding of exhibitions and my belief in the power of storytelling through art.

In my curatorial work, I focus on creating opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their work. I curate exhibitions that bring together diverse artistic responses under a shared theme, highlighting the unique perspectives of each artist. The process involves developing a thought-provoking theme with the team, putting out open calls for submissions on social media and art platforms, inviting artists whose work aligns with the theme, and selecting the final pieces for the show. From there, I plan how to arrange the works within the space to achieve the best visual flow and narrative impact. Finally, I bring all these ideas to life, culminating in the opening of the exhibition, where I enjoy connecting with artists and visitors alike.

This process brings me immense satisfaction. I love exploring the varied expressions and narratives of different artists and conceptualizing how to best present their work within a space. Collaborating with talented artists and witnessing the successful realization of an exhibition fills me with pride. These experiences have not only given me new perspectives on art but also enhanced my own artistic practice and abilities.

The dual roles of curator and freelance illustrator offer me unique and complementary perspectives. It’s a rare and valuable combination that allows me to approach art from both a personal and collaborative angle, bridging my passion for storytelling with my love for facilitating others’ creative expressions.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

In my artistic journey, I am deeply motivated by the desire to bring my imagined worlds and stories to life and share them with others. This passion is rooted in my love of fantasy literature and creative storytelling. Works like J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have left a deep mark on me, not just through their richly constructed universes but also by inspiring me to create my narratives and explore the limitless possibilities of art.

For me, art is a way to build bridges between fantasy and reality, to use visual storytelling to evoke emotions and spark curiosity. I want my creations to transport viewers into the worlds I envision while also offering a mirror to reflect on their own experiences and perspectives.

At its core, my mission is to craft stories that resonate, inspire, and connect. Through thoughtful narratives and immersive atmospheres, I try to create illustrations that connect with people and make art feel personal and universal.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

The key to building a social media presence is continued self-exposure through regular sharing of new work. Constantly creating and posting artwork shows not only an artist’s ability to consistently create but also reflects their passion for expression. This continuity attracts opportunities and makes sure the artwork can be seen by a larger and larger audience. For beginners, the focus is on creating and sharing regularly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://adrienjtang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/no_a00d/