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

Xi, 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?

From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Growing up in an industrial area near Chongqing, China, my parents, who both worked at the same factory, played a crucial role in shaping my artistic journey. My mother’s professional training in Chinese painting and calligraphy, coupled with my father’s passion for art, influenced me deeply. At just 3 years old, I began copying the pages of my favorite ‘Transformer’ comic books as a way to preserve them. By age 6, I had a strong affinity for art, excelling in drawing and eagerly participating in art-related classes.
While studying at the Sichuan Fine Art Institute, my life took a transformative turn. Professor and Curator Yu Ke introduced me to contemporary art, marking the start of showcasing my work in museums and galleries. This experience fueled my belief that I could have a career as a professional artist.
My journey was further enriched by mentors like contemporary artists Hong Lei and Grammy-winning director Michael Patterson. They showed me the fluidity and transformative power of art, encouraging me to explore beyond boundaries.
Despite its challenges, my artistic path began with love and intuition, when I decided to copy comic books. Those early moments continue to define my artistic adventure, motivating me to pursue my passion as a professional artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a digital artist, I find my passion in creating fantastical realms, all brought to life through the intricate dance between new technology and art. My artistic journey began on the shores of contemporary art, and my curiosity guided me into the enchanting realms of digital art and VFX.

Before entering the industry, I spent eight years as an independent artist, participating in exhibitions, selling paintings, and even crafting art toys. Upon graduating from USC School of Cinematic Arts, I had the privilege of being recommended to Digital Domain’s prestigious visualization team by the renowned motion capture and virtual production expert, John Brennan.

Working alongside Scott Meadows, the former Head of Visualization for Digital Domain, I contributed to high-profile projects like ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ the Netflix film ‘The Adam Project,’ the HBO TV series ‘The Last of Us,’ and more. These projects demanded extensive work in CG and visual effects, and I gained invaluable experience in various facets, from pre-visualization to post-visualization and tech-visualization.

I adeptly utilized real-time animation software, transforming the art department’s concepts into fully realized scenes. Additionally, I aligned digital scenes with blueprints of the actual stage sets and collaborated with the technical team to test real-time animation workflows. Throughout these projects, I created a multitude of digital assets and contributed significantly to their success.

As an independent artist, I engaged in collaborative ventures with a diverse array of fellow artists, fostering an environment of innovation and technological exploration. Simultaneously, I dedicated myself to refining my artistic prowess through personal projects, including music videos, animated documentaries, and projection mapping shows. Notably, these endeavors achieved recognition at esteemed events like Siggraph Asia 2022, the Unreal Student Showcase, and the Telluride Film Festival.

In addition to these accomplishments, I am currently spearheading the development of an independent immersive project in collaboration with fellow artists. This ongoing venture is a journey through various virtual styles, allowing us to continually push the boundaries of creative exploration.

I find great satisfaction in problem solving and taking on challenges. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently demonstrated my ability to effectively tackle complex production tasks, even when there are no straightforward solutions. My approach involves leveraging all my strengths, encompassing both technical expertise and artistic sensibilities, to successfully accomplish the task at hand.

A notable example of this is my initial Previz assignment for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ In this project, I was presented with only a single front image from the concept art, which portrayed an early rendition of the Talokan warrior. I was tasked with creating multiple variations of the warrior, not only envisioning their profile but also meticulously crafting the rear view, with special emphasis on the tattoo section. To achieve this, I drew inspiration from the concept art and utilized Maya references to fashion a multitude of sea creature tattoos in a style reminiscent of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.

In the broader context of the digital arts and VFX industry, the majority of cases demand a robust artistic foundation and a high level of technical proficiency, both of which are among my key strengths.

I take great pride in the diverse array of visual art fields I’ve had the privilege to work in, spanning contemporary art, VFX film, immersive digital art, music videos, and more. My unwavering belief and practice that there are no boundaries between commercial and fine art bring me immense satisfaction, as I relish approaching projects differently and challenging conventions and stereotypes.

My perspective has been significantly shaped by the influence of Grammy-winning director and USC professor Michael Patterson, whose cross-media creations have expanded my horizons. He demonstrated how various art fields and styles can seamlessly intertwine.

Moreover, my ongoing independent art project, ‘Illusory Land,’ not only harmoniously blends virtual art with traditional art but has also yielded a diverse array of media, spanning VR, AR, and projection mapping.

My passion extends beyond showcasing my skills; it encompasses gradually introducing my distinctive artistic vision and imagination to both the entertainment industry and the art world. Additionally, I aim to harness new technology to craft unique and immersive experiences that captivate audiences.

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

I could have chosen to live a simple life as an independent artist with my family, but my insatiable curiosity and keen intuition for digital art and industry trends have consistently propelled me on an exciting creative journey that led me to pause my career and study abroad.

Moreover, our generation has matured in a globalized and multicultural world, which has provided us with expansive perspectives and a wealth of opportunities. Curiosity acts as both an anchor, enabling me to navigate the swiftly changing landscape and find stability, and as a propeller, driving me forward continually. Nurturing diverse viewpoints and perspectives stands as a vital wellspring of creativity for an artist. Trusting my instincts has also played a pivotal role right from the start, guiding me in the right direction.

For example, “Illusory Land.” While out for a walk, an image of a cyber figure donning a VR helmet in the shape of a triangle abruptly materialized in my mind. This vision ultimately became the project’s central character, and from that point, the entire animation unfurled.

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

The most rewarding aspect of my journey as a creative is the fortunate opportunity to gradually work on projects that encompass all my interests and passions. These projects span across various mediums, including VFX films, TV series, immersive arts, music videos, and more.

However, every creative pursuit is accompanied by its unique set of risks and rewards, and it’s far from a smooth path. My career journey has been marked by numerous challenges and obstacles.

For instance, during my academic pursuits, I stumbled upon the potential of real-time animation at the Siggraph 2019 LA exhibition. Fueled by excitement over this new avenue for visual artists, I made the decision to use the Unreal Engine for my thesis. Despite having no prior experience, and facing a multitude of issues during the learning process, I persevered. A year later, my work earned me awards, film festival nominations, and a strong start to my career.

Looking back, it’s evident that taking those risks opened numerous doors of opportunity for me. I not only expanded my career but also discovered a profound sense of creative freedom. Gradually, all my previous ideas have come to fruition.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jakexwang.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wang_xi_83/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xi-wang-jake-837b19187/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11991706/