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

Yue, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My answer is Blue Bird, a multi-projection performance piece. For me, it’s not just a personal project, it’s an art journey into self and a platform for advocacy.

“Blue Bird,” an expanded cinema, six-16mm-projection performance of the journey of a bird’s soul to find its body, holds deep personal significance. The subject shares the narrative of searching for belongings and identity, spirit-body relationships, and my personal journey from getting lost to finding myself. The project consists of text, poems, archive footage, shot footage from China and the USA, animation, and a voice-over of my personal story of growing up in a small conservative city in China. It utilizes analog techniques such as cameraless filmmaking, laser printing, hand process, direct animation, color separation, projector operation, loop, and optical printing. This project is fully analog, utilizing 16mm film materials.

As a bisexual female born and raised in China, I understand the underlying pressure to express one’s self. My experience of moving to the USA and facing cultural differences, mental illness, and identity issues forced me to find myself. This is where this project started, under the pain of inner disorder and a strong desire to find myself. The tactile trait of analog film and light allows me to convert my feelings and memories to reality. After three years of intensive study and artistic exploration at Emerson, this project encapsulates my passion, growth, and life experiences, presented through this unique format. It marks the culmination of my MFA journey and serves as an important step in my dreams as an independent artist.

In addition to being a personal project, my project is also a platform for advocacy. My journey to move to the US and start over with zero connection is filled with courage and risk. I am also risk-taking in my art, by embracing the unconventional media analog film and the seemingly unprofitable nature of expanded cinema. I deeply believe that courage and risk-taking in art-making are always worthwhile, and I want to prove and inspire the audience to bravely make their art.

Yue, 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?

My name is Yue Hua/华越(she/her), an interdisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and educator, born and raised in China and currently based in Boston. I also collaborate as a motion designer and production designer with other artists/filmmakers. I use film, expanded cinema, and digital media to explore cross-culture identity(Chinese-American), language, and female experience from a personal lens. My work, often incorporating personal narratives and immersive installations, dismantles traditional roles and empowers women to find their voices.

My journey into art began in elementary school, where I discovered the joy of creating by playing with colors, and shapes, and reading illustrated books. That spark of joy from making even the smallest piece of art has stayed with me ever since.

What I’m most proud of is my commitment to keeping an open mind and remaining curious about the world—constantly learning, creating, and challenging existing ideas. I push boundaries not only in my artistic work but also in my ongoing exploration of self. I love experimenting with new ideas, questioning what I’ve been told, and listening to the stories others have to share.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

It’s not exactly a specific resource, but I wish I had understood the importance of self-learning, community, and mastering another language sooner. Learning English and being able to research and explore through tools like Google opened up a whole new world for me. The most valuable skill I’ve gained is self-learning, and I wish I had realized that earlier. In today’s internet-driven world, immerse yourself in knowledge—avoid distractions like TikTok and short videos, because there’s so much more out there. And, just as important, connect with people, engage in conversations, and find your community.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My art creates a platform for advocacy and conversation. I’ve had many people tell me that my work deeply moved or empowered them, and that, in turn, empowers me.

Being an artist is an unconventional path, and I’ve had to carve out my own way of living. In the beginning, I struggled a lot, but ultimately, it set me free. I was able to choose the lifestyle I wanted and embrace the spontaneity of this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yuehua.co
• Instagram: yuehua_yvette
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yue-yvette-hua-173714221/

Image Credits

Image credit: Tomas Orrego, Kang Hua, HanYing Du, Asma Nobari Khoshmehr.