We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Xiaoxiao Wu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Xiaoxiao below.

Xiaoxiao, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Due to the constant moving home during my childhood, I have a blurry memory of “home” and lack a sense of belonging. The only thing I remember is the scenery and my imagination about the outside of the window, which is my safety zone, utopian world. I want to use art to create a safe home. Sometimes it is a utopian forest, sometimes it is a window portal, but what remains unchanged is that they all embrace, protect and maintain the soul of the person I was in childhood. My works revolve around the influence of family origins and the memories of constant relocations, explore the blurred border between the material and imaginary worlds, trying to figure out how one can transform into the other and what occurs thereafter.

In my work, a rainbow made of wool yarn that traverses the utopian world. In Hawaiian culture, rainbows have a lovely name, “Anuenue”, they believe that the rainbow is a bridge connecting gods and humans, reason and emotion, material and spiritual. Yarn also reminds me of my grandmother. I grew up with my grandmother, and the most peaceful moment in my memories is every evening, sitting with her on the couch watching TV, while she knit sweaters for me. So Anuenue, like my grandmother, like a life mentor, uses a gentle manner to lead me into this world and also guides me out. It is a bridge connecting my imaginary world to reality.

My works are filled with contemplation about the distinction between the world outside and the world within the window. Influenced by the fairy tale story, Buddhism, inherent social order, and implicit rules. I sew and knit yarns on the surface of sculptures and paintings, which are like physical surgery techniques to mend the soul of daily objects and create my fairy tale world. It is stabbing, hurting but also healing. I’m obsessed with the transformations and contrasts of material to change our mundane expectations of surrounding stuff and transform them into the out-of-ordinary.

Xiaoxiao, 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?

Xiaoxiao Wu (b.1999, Chongqing, China) is a multimedia artist currently based in New York who primarily works in installation and sculpture. Her works revolve around the influence of family origins and the memories of constant relocations, explore the blurred border between the material and imaginary worlds, trying to figure out how one can transform into the other and what occurs thereafter.

She attempts to use art to create a safe home. Windows always served as her connection to the outside world. She is fascinated by using art to lock in the utopian world from her childhood memories beyond the window, filled with contemplation about the distinction between the world outside and the world within. She got her BFA degree in sculpture major from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing, China in 2022 and currently studies at the School of Visual Arts in the MFA Fine Arts program in New York.

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

In my creative journey, a central mission drives my artistic creation, inspired by the influence of family origins that leave an indelible mark on everyone. I want to use art as a healing and inclusive force. In today’s era, the structure of many families is filled with complex issues that greatly affect the growth of each child. These experiences become imprinted on individuals, shaping their perspectives, emotions, and sense of self. My art is not only a personal exploration but also a response to the collective experiences of those who have faced disruptions and uncertainties in their family life. I aim to create works that serve as a source of solace and understanding for every child who has encountered such challenges, as well as for the adults who carry the echoes of these experiences into their present lives.

Through my installations and sculptures, I aim to construct a sanctuary, a utopian world that encapsulates the soul of the person I was in childhood or people like me. This pursuit is not only a personal self-discovery and healing but also a universal exploration of the blurred boundaries between the material and imaginary realms. I am interested in the transformative power of art – the ability to transmute the mundane into the extraordinary, to bridge the gap between reality and imagination. Through the transformative power of my art, I aspire to offer a space of healing and compassion. I want my art to act as a vessel for empathy, providing a visual language that speaks to the shared narratives of resilience and growth amidst familial complexities. In essence, my mission extends beyond personal catharsis to embrace a wider societal conversation, fostering healing and inclusivity for those who have grappled with the complexities of family origins.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

From my perspective, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is profound connections and impact art has on individuals and communities. Art has the unique ability to transcend language barriers and establish spiritual communication. I want to see my work resonates with viewers, evoking emotions, sparking contemplation, or perhaps providing solace, is incredibly fulfilling. My works offer them a moment of reflection or connection. Whether it’s through the shared exploration of childhood memories, the contemplation of the material and imaginary, or the universal desire for home, art becomes a medium for dialogue and understanding. Art allows me to engage with my innermost thoughts and emotions, translating them into tangible forms that can be shared with the world. Ultimately, the most rewarding aspect is the potential to make a positive impact, on the lives of those who engage with my work. Knowing that my art may resonate with someone, inspire them, or provide a moment of beauty in their lives adds a profound layer of purpose to my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: wuxiaoxiaoxx.com
• Instagram: xiaoxiao_studio_
• Linkedin: Xiaoxiao Wu