We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yuhanxiao (maggie) Ma. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yuhanxiao (Maggie) below.
Hi Yuhanxiao (Maggie), thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I realized I wanted to pursue a creative path when I felt the need to address urgent societal issues through visual art. Technological innovation shouldn’t be an end in itself but a way to solve real problems. Ideally, we would weigh the risks and benefits of new technologies before adopting them, but rapid advancements often outpace our ability to fully understand their consequences.
Art, for me, is a powerful medium to bridge the gap between technological development and societal understanding. Through my installations and performances, I create spaces where complex ideas become accessible, helping the public critically assess the potential risks and rewards of emerging technologies. This belief drives my artistic practice to engage others in meaningful discourse on the technological changes that are transforming our world.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Yuhanxiao (Maggie) Ma, an object-fascinated research artist and creative technologist. My work revolves around the social and critical implications of technology, exploring how technological innovations and societal structures influence our lived experiences. I use a range of methods, including 3D fabrication, multimedia installations, crafting (casting and molding), and performance art, to express these ideas.
My process involves in-depth research on specific topics, which I then present my findings through various media and forms. . Influenced by my engagement with the phenomenological tradition in Western continental philosophy, I aim to encourage a critical examination of the established norms and structures that govern our perception of our experiences.
I graduated with Honors from New York University in May 2024, where I pursued a BA in Media, Arts, and Technology and minored in Philosophy. My academic focus has been on the sociopolitical impacts of technology and the philosophical exploration of human experience, both of which have profoundly shaped my artistic practice.
Professionally, I have been recognized through several residencies, including the DOM Art Residence in Barcelona and the Residency in Interdisciplinary Practices in Bio Art at the School of Visual Arts, among others. My work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions, including those at TheBLANC Gallery, Gallatin Galleries, and John Molloy Gallery in New York, as well as in Nanjing and Shanghai. I am also scheduled to present at an upcoming exhibition in Barcelona. These experiences highlight my ongoing commitment to contemporary art and critical discourse.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, my creative journey is driven by a mission to blend critical social commentary with a witty twist. I seek to highlight the often-overlooked implications of technological and societal practices through provocative and imaginative presentations.
For instance, in my project “Guinea Pigs,” I use sculptural representations to critique the ethical dimensions of drug testing. This work features x-rays of human skulls integrated into guinea pig skeletons and 3D-printed guinea pigs with faces from frequently tested populations, created using SLA technology. By presenting these elements together, I aim to highlight how humans are often treated as victims or objects in the pursuit of technological advancement, similar to how guinea pigs have historically been used as experimental tools. This work suggests that, just as animals are sacrificed for human benefit, there is a troubling hierarchy where we, too, might sacrifice ourselves for technological progress.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when audience members approach me to share their personal interpretations of my work. It’s incredibly fulfilling to hear how my art resonates with them, whether their views align with my intentions or differ in unexpected and valuable ways. I believe that art’s greatest strength lies in its ability to foster inter-subjective understanding and stimulate meaningful conversations. Knowing that my work serves as a catalyst for such discussions, allowing people to engage with important issues, is truly gratifying.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yuhanxiaoma.cargo.site
- Instagram: maggiemyhx
Image Credits
Courtesy of the artist