We recently connected with Yuyun(Lika) Su and have shared our conversation below.

Yuyun(Lika), appreciate you joining us 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?

I was born into a very traditional Chinese family. All my family members are engineers, so pursuing a career as an artist was quite an adventurous decision for me. I had a passion for drawing since I was a kid, and I was fortunate that my parents were very supportive of my hobby. In middle school, I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful teacher, Mr. Guoming Gin, a Chinese oil painter, who played a significant role in cultivating my initial awareness and interest in contemporary art.

During my BFA studies, I made a firm decision to major in sculpture at the art school because I had developed a strong interest in exploring various materials.

I believe that being an artist brings me a sense of happiness. It allows me to express myself freely through art, and I thoroughly enjoy the process of creating each piece. I take pleasure in physically engaging with various materials and appreciating different textures. When I’m working on a piece, time seems to pass quickly, and I find myself living in my own world.

However, being an artist also comes with its challenges. There are times when I struggle with anxiety, especially when I lack inspiration. During these moments, I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I had followed in my family’s footsteps and pursued engineering like them. But even if I had never been exposed to art, I believe that I would still generate inspiration and ideas from the small details of life, and I would not give up on creating.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My art is a manifestation of personal consciousness, memory, and self-preservation, guided by a deep belief that all things that exist, including memories, are imbued with vitality. I hold that all living beings share commonalities, and the human body is a magnificent vessel that contains personal consciousness and serves as a formidable shield. My creative output explores and articulates the intersection between personal consciousness and the human body, evoking uncontrollable flashes of memories, shattered physical shells, and imprisoned consciousness. My artistic arsenal comprises mediums such as video, sound, sculpture, installations, and oil painting to fashion a realm that exudes detachment and emptiness.
In honing my artistic language, I carefully select materials to fashion my own aesthetic style while honoring the unique features and textures of each. My installations favor a predominantly white palette, with variations in shades and tones, as I endeavor to spotlight the inherent textures of materials within a simple color scheme.
The process of creation is both enjoyable and cathartic for me. My aspiration is to stimulate viewers to contemplate the interplay between the physical body and personal consciousness, fostering diverse perspectives and ideas.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I believe that the most crucial elements in the creative process are passion and perseverance. It’s about the passion for art, the enthusiasm for life, and the determination to never give up. Of course, I also hope that more people can have the opportunity to see my work.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I sometimes find that it can be challenging for the audience to fully grasp the essence of my creative ideas. However, I believe this is also the charm of art; everyone’s experience and interpretation are unique. I usually try to provide enough information in the title to give the audience some room for imagination while also conveying certain basic emotions.

Contact Info:

• Website: likasuart.com
• Instagram: likasuart