We recently connected with Tian Wang and have shared our conversation below.

Tian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Diving into weightlifting has been one of the greatest risks I’ve taken in the past year. Growing up in a traditional Asian household, I battled with the strict standard on expected female body image, enduring plenty of negative remarks from family members about my weight. These experiences fueled unhealthy habits and strained my self-perception, leading me to avoid any talk of exercise, sports, or hitting the gym. But during a recent film shoot, I had an epiphany. I realized that lacking physical strength could pose challenges, especially when I have to handle the camera myself. It was a wake-up call that prompted me to push past my comfort zone and give the gym a shot. Despite feeling nervous, I felt compelled by a newfound determination to challenge myself.
Surprisingly, I soon uncovered a passion for exercise and discovered a side of myself I hadn’t seen before. I found joy in the process training and was pleasantly surprised to find out I was pretty flexible and strong with the right training. This unexpected journey even led me to take part in a weightlifting competition, a direction I never saw coming when I first set foot in the gym.
But I was already in love with weights in love with having tangible power and the constant risk-taking within the training process. These risks are building up into an unexpected norm and a different me.
With each lift, I not only gained physical strength but also confidence in myself and a fresh perspective on my body. I no longer feared what I once considered flaws; instead, I embraced them as part of my journey. More importantly, this journey shaped my perseverance and willpower. I became accustomed to taking risks and understood that risk-taking is about stepping out of our comfort zones and challenging the definitions society imposes on us. Weightlifting truly embodies constant risk-taking. Every personal record I aimed to beat, every new move I learned, every theory I explored—all were small risks I had to conquer.
However, to sustain this journey in a healthy and consistent way, two things were essential: preparation and protection. Each time I aimed for a new record, I had to build on the progress from previous practices, breaking down each move into smaller steps to prepare both my body and mind. Additionally, I needed proper protection—whether it was having someone spot me or wearing supportive gear—to ensure my safety and prepare for any possible outcomes during the process.
Taking a risk isn’t about chasing a specific outcome; it’s about embarking on an open-ended journey full of possibilities. Sometimes, the willingness to take the risk itself is the greatest reward. Through this process of learning and practicing weightlifting for the competition, I discovered that risk-taking isn’t a blind rush but a deliberate choice made with preparation and an open mind.
Life itself is full of risks—whether it’s embracing a new identity, starting a new project, or engaging in new collaborations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience the true essence of risk at this stage of my life through such a fun, active, and tangible form.

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?

Hello, I’m Tian Wang, also known as Amber. I’m an emerging young artist, filmmaker, and documentary filmmaker coming from Shenzhen, China. At the age of 16, I relocated to the United States by myself and recently earned my BFA degree in Film from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I am currently carving my path as an independent filmmaker and freelance visual designer. My artistic journey centers on using digital media as a tool to engage audiences in more extensive conversations regarding cultural dynamics and social patterns inspired by my own experience living and studying in different cultural backgrounds. My artworks are grounded in textual imagery and visual metaphors. Through my practice among many different mediums including, film, documentary, photography, and installation, I tend to navigate deep into the representation of personal memories, cultural connections, and social dynamics. Within my works, I also discuss the mutative nature of my role as an artist and filmmaker within different working processes. By presenting the changing process of my perspectives along the working process: from observer to observant, from objective to subjective, and from emotional to rational, I am trying to portray an active dynamic of time and identity.
Recently, I’ve also been venturing into commercial visual design, I’m experimenting with blending my fine art background with strategies for creating designs that resonate with audiences and clients from diverse backgrounds across more contemporary platforms. This includes brand image building, social media running, and product design aimed at authentically connecting with audiences. Within this process, I always take pride in bridging the gap between fine art and commercial design, offering a unique perspective and approach that sets me apart. I’m passionate about creating work that not only captivates but also sparks meaningful conversations and connections.

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

While initially, I thought art creation was about producing visually appealing works. However, as my career in art progressed, and I gained a more precise understanding of art history and the world, I finally finally came to the realize that art creation entails more —it’s about observing and communicating with the world, people, relationships, and environments through various mediums. The creative process involves countless thinking and asking coming from the creator. Artworks are not just what you see; it’s also about what continues to inspire you. Consequently, the identity of the creator profoundly influenced how I perceived the world. Moments of immersive observation detach me from the role of a participant in the world and plunge me into the position of an observer. Yet, the expression of observer is imbued with subjective personal emotions. Finally, i built a deeper bond with the world. The world is no longer black and white; everything begins to become interesting and vivid, and everything in life is worth observing and reflecting on. Thus, I also realized that as long as one masters the observation of life, reflection, and then output, anyone can become an artist. Of course, this is also the essence of art; art itself is a tool and medium, and everyone should have the right to use it. Although achieving such a thing in today’s society is still somewhat difficult. Inequality of resources and information hinder many talented people from making good use of art as a tool. But at the same time, I have also had the privilege of witnessing numerous passionate souls break through the obstacles brought by inequality and continue to create. Because art is not only a tool but also an instinct, a real spark generated by the collision between people and the world. Although the discourse power in the art world is still uneven, the creations and the voice of more prestigious artists will receive more attention and followers. But it does not mean that unheard voices are unimportant, and art should not be defined by authority. This constantly reminds me that art is about sharing and communicating, and equal dialogue should involve everyone. Therefore, besides creation, I also pay great attention to art education. The experience of conducting public welfare activities related to art education in many campuses in China has made me feel extremely happy and fulfilled, and this sense of achievement is no less than that of creation. So, as an art worker, art not only creates an ideal channel for me to collide with the world, but it also gives me a sense of mission, to invite more people to participate in the artistic creation and communication about life, life, people, relationships, and environments using my abilities.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Networking is essential in the art world—it’s all about making connections. And by connections, I mean more than just ones for benefits, resources, and money, although those are important too. It’s also about connecting with people who are different, young, and passionate. Having friends and acquaintances in the art business helps you stay informed about industry trends and keeps you constantly inspired. Equally important is connecting with people outside the art industry to stay in touch with the broader world. So, networking is definitely one of the most important resources. For me, some of the most effective ways to build healthy connections include attending show openings, exhibitions, community screenings, art residencies, and utilizing social media. In my opinion, collaborating with other artists, as well as non-artists, is one of the quickest ways to grow as an artist. Additionally, having platforms for others to learn about you is crucial. For me, Instagram, personal websites, Vimeo, and even TikTok are at the top of my list.

Contact Info:

• Website: 2045tian.com
• Instagram: @1_wat_3

Image Credits
Tian Wang