We recently connected with Siyan (Camille) Ji and have shared our conversation below.

Siyan (Camille), thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

As an artist, I find joy and fulfillment in expressing myself through visual art. It’s an enriching experience that allows me to explore my creativity and share my perspective with the audience. However, I believe art creation is inherently intertwined with society and the realities people face every day.

I’m pursuing my MFA degree now, but I also recognize the importance of practicality and stability in life. This realization prompts me to consider the possibility of exploring regular jobs after graduation. I value the connection between myself and society. It’s essential to me that my art transcends mere personal expression and resonates universally. I aim to create work that speaks to the collective human experience, fostering a sense of connection and understanding among diverse audiences.

I also recognize the importance of practicality and stability in life. This realization prompts me to consider the possibility of exploring “regular jobs” after graduation. These conventional roles offer not only financial security but also opportunities to apply my skills and creativity in different ways.

Ultimately, my passion for creativity remains steadfast, and I am committed to continuing my artistic journey while remaining open to the possibilities that “regular jobs” may offer. Striking a balance between artistic pursuit and practicality is essential for holistic personal and professional development.

Siyan (Camille), 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?

I am a contemporary Chinese artist residing in Los Angeles, California. I earned my BFA in Photography from CalArts and am currently pursuing an MFA at the University of Southern California.

Coming from a photographic background, I view photographs as representations of the way memories function in our lives. My work aims to question the boundary of imagery and reality by engaging the materiality and dimensionality of photography. To embody the materiality of the immaterial, such as human emotions and memory, I adopt installation, collage, and modernist techniques—“expanded photography” effective in expressing the singular materiality of the paper medium.

The dimensionality of my works extends beyond the spatial composition of the visual; it encompasses the geographical mapping of the temporal—the transformation in materiality and methodology is a response to the aesthetic and spiritual drive to map the “memoryscape.” This term denotes a metaphorical landscape shaped by intersecting and parallel planes of memory.

As a sojourner, forager, and, most importantly, a geographer of this memoryscape, my goal is to consistently invite the audience into a space of relations. Through this space, I would like to internalize universal human emotions, seeking anchoring points for unordered memories within fluid relationships.

I am currently in the production phase of various projects including photography, installations, and videos. These works will be showcased in my MFA thesis exhibition, which opens on March 1 in Los Angeles.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My art is centered around the exploration of memories and the intricate connections they hold within the human experience. For me, creating art is a journey of self-discovery, especially delving into how my memories shape who I am and how they intertwine with images and emotions.

In the grand narratives of history, emotions can seem insignificant, even microscopic. But to me, every feeling is significant and worth exploring. Being a sensitive person, I often find myself focusing on my emotions, using them as fuel for my artistic expression.

Through my work, I aim to capture the universal experience of navigating internal spaces. Memories serve as the foundation, but it’s the emotions they evoke that breathe life into my art. By delving deep into my own feelings and experiences, I strive to create art that resonates with others, inviting them to embark on their own journey of introspection and self-discovery.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Art provides me with a space for self-expression. In my practice, I find that visual art, particularly abstract forms, offers a comfortable distance between the artwork, myself as the artist, and the audience. This distance allows my work to speak for me in ways that words often cannot, while also inviting diverse interpretations from viewers with different backgrounds and experiences.

For me, art and photography serve as mediums for narrating abstract stories. Unlike the precision of novels or historical accounts, my approach to storytelling is non-linear, offering a fluid and dynamic perspective that unfolds through visual experiences. In this way, each photograph becomes a fragment of a larger narrative, and the arrangement of these elements is akin to crafting a visual poem.

Artmaking provides me with both time and space to immerse myself in this creative process. It’s a meditative practice that allows me to explore and express complex emotions, ideas, and narratives.

Art is my language, and making art is a journey of discovery, reflection, and continual growth, offering opportunities for self-expression and connection with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: siyanjistudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillejsy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Other: RED/小红书：https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5b6d4bd4cff608000149578d?xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=5b6d4bd4cff608000149578d&apptime=1707439946