We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luna Sue Huang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luna Sue below.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Luna Sue Huang and I’m a Chinese artist currently based in London. My artistic journey has been shaped by both the traditions I grew up with and the creative freedom I’ve sought. I began my career exploring a range of visual forms, including animation, illustration, video art, and experimental sound art, but I ultimately returned to oil painting. I love the tactile nature of traditional painting—the physical connection I feel in working directly with my hands. I believe that as digital art becomes more prevalent, people will begin to place a higher value on the unique mark-making by the artist, as these give a sense of connection to the maker and create an emotional link to the artwork itself.
My work focuses on themes deeply influenced by Eastern philosophy, feminism, and elements of contemporary culture. Through my art, I explore emotional connections, self-discovery, and the complex experiences of Asian women and the LGBTQ+ community. Growing up in a traditional Chinese family and spending time in a Buddhist temple practising Vipassana meditation were foundational experiences that drove my exploration of societal themes such as self-alienation, transformation, and the weight of traditional family values on identity.
The pieces I create aren’t simply decorative; they’re meant to foster introspection and emotional resonance. I use elements like traditional Chinese patterns and colours to create a blend of the contemporary with the symbolic and spiritual, often focusing on the resilience and self-awareness of Asian women who are finding empowerment through education and self-expression. My work serves as a testament to the power of art as a tool for healing, and I hope that by expressing both the beauty and the complexity of human experience, I can inspire viewers to look inward and find strength within themselves.
What sets my art apart is this fusion of personal experience and broader cultural themes, brought to life through a traditional medium with a contemporary lens. I am most proud of the moments when viewers connect emotionally with my work, finding pieces of themselves in it. Ultimately, my mission is to validate human emotions and inspire resilience, making art that not only tells a story but invites viewers into a shared space of reflection and healing.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I studied fine art at a university in China where oil painting was taught in a very traditional and rigid manner. As someone who questions conventions, I felt limited by the strict guidelines that seemed to exist just because they always had. I remember experimenting by using oils in a way that mimicked watercolour—a technique that wasn’t exactly “approved.” Instead of being encouraged, I was reprimanded, and it left me feeling frustrated with how restrictive the art world could be. This experience pushed me to explore illustration and printmaking, but I kept coming back to painting; it was where I felt most fulfilled. I realised that my journey in finding what to paint was also a journey in discovering who I am. Before, I cared a lot about others’ perceptions of me, but as I grew, I became more certain of what truly makes me happy. I learned that the more I understood myself, the more my art would naturally reflect my own mood, emotions, and style. That persistence to remain true to myself, even when the process felt discouraging, is what kept me painting.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The driving force behind my creative journey is grounded in an experience I had while spending ten days in a Buddhist temple in China. During that time, I lived in complete silence, waking up at 4 am and meditating throughout the day, without speaking or making eye contact with anyone. This experience transformed how I approach both my art and my life. It taught me to truly respect each moment and everything that goes into what we see and do—like understanding that a meal isn’t just food on a plate; it’s the culmination of a whole season’s growth.
This sense of mindfulness showed me that not everything requires explanation. Sometimes, it’s about fully immersing yourself in the present and appreciating it without needing a purpose. In the same way, I view art: it’s less about a fixed meaning and more about how it makes you feel, what it stirs within you, and the memories it brings to mind. Art, for me, isn’t about telling the viewer what to think; it’s about opening them to what they feel. This is the essence that fuels my creative path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lunasuehuang.com
- Instagram: @lunasue_art
