Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yiwei Leo Wang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yiwei Leo, 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.
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is the exploration of the multi-layered nature of party and nightlife culture, which is a recurring theme in many of my works. This project reflects my observations of social phenomena such as the influence of clubbing and dopamine.
In creating pieces for example, “Quilted Emptiness”, “Confetti”, and “Beacon”, I sought to capture the dichotomy of clubbing as both a refuge and a cage. These works explore the fleeting moments of freedom and individual empowerment that can be found within the dazzling lights and loud music of the fragile clubbing environment, as well as the sense of isolation and loss that can follow once the party ends and everyone disperses.
These pieces’ use of familiar objects and symbols such as disco balls, lights, and fabric is significant. They serve to create a sense of familiarity and connection for the viewer, while also challenging existing stereotypes and creating new possibilities for individuality.
The process of creating these works was also significant to me. I engaged in a cycle of making, manufacturing, copying, and re-making, reflecting on my experiences and observations of the capitalist system and the manufacturing industry behind that artificial utopia. This process is not just about creating an artwork, but also about experiencing and reflecting on these societal systems.
In “Quilted Emptiness (Live)”, I incorporated a live performance element, placing myself at the DJ mix-table and recreating a clubbing scene. This added a layer of personal narrative to the piece, making it not just an observation of societal trends, but also a reflection of my own experiences and feelings.
Overall, this exploration of the multi-layered nature of party and nightlife culture allowed me to delve deeply into themes that are personally and culturally significant, and to create works that challenge viewers to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions.
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?
Multiple personas we take on conceal and reveal parts of ourselves as we adapt to the norm. But in the moments when we let go and allow our ultimate self to shine through and enjoy life, an edgeless universe can be found inside. We experience true liberation. This is the experience of clubbing an edgeless universe as a multi-sensory experience of light, sound, and even touch. Yet the individual empowerment captured in these collective moments is quickly lost once everyone disperses. The club is then a refuge and a cage. My work projects the reachability of this shallow utopia world. It ensures people’s entitlement to being “flamboyant,” “fragile,” “extra,” or even “fake.”
Born in China and educated in the US, I am a millennial world citizen of the digital age, I witness the influence of social media, clubbing culture, and the dual stigmatization with the celebration of “Made in China”. My work addresses key phenomena in today’s social media and pop culture pertaining to issues such as body image, gender stereotypes, the illusion of nightlife, and the power dynamic in sexual interplay. With boutique elements, bright colors, and synthetic materials, I project fabulosity in my works by filtering them through an “ideal” persona.
The visual style of my generation has inevitably influenced my work. I don’t seek eye-catching tones and polished textures; I am simply immersed in such visual materials. I also appropriate familiar objects and symbols such as disco balls, lights, clothing, and hashtags with bold colors that speak to me. I craft fanciful yet superficial utopias in the clubbing presence, translate it into the real world, and then re-integrate them back into the nightlife realm.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to communicate through a universal language – the language of art. Art transcends cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries, allowing me to connect with people from all walks of life. It’s a medium through which I can express my thoughts, feelings, and observations, and invite others to engage with them, regardless of their background. Creating art provides me with a platform to share my perspectives on social phenomena such as the influence of social media, clubbing culture, and the dual stigmatization and celebration of “Made in China”. Through my work, I can provoke thought, evoke emotions, and stimulate conversations on these topics, and I enjoy that a lot.
Moreover, art allows me to explore and express my experiences and identity in a way that words often can’t. It’s a form of self-expression that is deeply personal yet universally relatable. Whether I’m creating an installation, a performance, or a sculpture, I’m sharing a part of myself with the world, and in doing so, I’m connecting with others on a deeply human level.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected digitally, yet also fraught with misunderstanding and division, the ability to share thoughts through a universal subtle language is more significant than ever. That’s why being an artist is so rewarding for me. Through my art, I can contribute to a global dialogue, foster understanding and empathy, and celebrate the diversity and complexity of human experience.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I strive to maintain the constant balance between depth and accessibility in my work. As an artist, I aim to create pieces that are rich in meaning and provoke thought and discussion among those who appreciate fine art. At the same time, I want my work to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their familiarity with art.
The process of creating art is deeply personal and often involves exploring complex themes and ideas. However, just like social media, I don’t want my artwork to be exclusive. That’s why I strive to create works that can be appreciated on multiple levels. For audiences who only have the patience to look at my work for a second, they can still get something.
For example, in my installations like “Quilted Emptiness” or “Flower in the Mirror; Moon on the Water 镜花水月”, I use familiar objects and symbols, such as disco balls, flowers, and quilts, to create a sense of connection and familiarity for the viewer. These elements can be appreciated for their aesthetic appeal, even if the viewer doesn’t fully grasp the deeper themes and ideas that they represent. At the same time, for those who wish to delve deeper, these works explore complex themes such as the dichotomy of clubbing, and the fleeting moments of freedom and individual empowerment that can be found within this environment.
I understand this is an extremely fast world, and I hope to make my art accessible and enjoyable for everyone, while also offering depth and complexity for those who wish to explore further. I believe that this approach makes my work more inclusive and enriches the dialogue that art can foster in our society.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madebyleowang.com
- Instagram: @MadeByLeoWang
Image Credits
Portrait by Tony Favarula Artwork documentation by Sky Chen and Eugene Tang