We were lucky to catch up with Xuemeng Zhang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Xuemeng, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

It’s difficult to simply answer yes or no to this question. Working as an artist, like every other job, is a challenging yet rewarding experience. When art becomes a career instead of a hobby, the artist needs to pick up many skills. For instance, being able to research, present materials, and promote oneself are required by most jobs in creative fields. Another challenge that most creative individuals have on a regular basis is managing feedback, not only from people in the industry, but from the general public. As artists, we are constantly learning how to effectively process, filter, and absorb different voices. To answer your question, I am happy with what I’m doing now, not because of whether I have a regular job, but because I am motivated to go forward and am curious to see how far I can go on this route.

Xuemeng, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a visual artist who uses photography and related mediums to experience the world, explore my curiosities, and share what I find through the process. I studied psychology in college and this area of study has been my major source of inspiration. I then pursued an MFA in Photography, Video, and Related Media at the School of Visual Arts. My art practice is driven by exploring connections between the mind and the eye. My work is currently on view in my solo exhibition, Other Rooms, in :iidrr Gallery, u1 Gallery’s “moment” exhibition, and Arte Laguna Prize Exhibition in Venice.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The process of making is the most rewarding and enjoyable aspect. I start a project by posing a question that I’m motivated to explore in-depth, similar to how one would start a psychological study. Then, I do some preliminary research and develop a basic plan of how I want to approach the question, such as developing a rough idea of what medium, material, subject, and technique I could potentially use to explore the topic. However, things don’t always go as planned and unpredictability is always a part of the creative process. Embracing these uncertainties can sometimes lead me to an unexpected place. When looking back at my previous work, it’s fun to see how curiosity led me to develop one project after another.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

It is fascinating when artwork serves as a magnet that attracts viewers with similar experiences or feelings from around the world, and generates conversations and connections between people. This motivates me to express my ideas or feelings through my work and make work that builds connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xuemengzhang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.xuemeng/