We recently connected with Zhiwen (Esther) Tang and have shared our conversation below.

Zhiwen (Esther), thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve had a fascination for art ever since I was a child. Yet, I never dreamed that my passion for art might become my profession. My father was a pediatrician, therefore I was advised to become a physician and educated extensively in chemistry and biology. During my preparation for the college entrance exam, I discovered the world of illustration and was moved and inspired by children’s book illustrator Jimmy Liao. I then began to prepare for a major in illustration, which, in hindsight, was a risky career change because it required me to abandon all the science classes I had taken and learn how to paint professionally. Nonetheless, this seemingly risky action turned out to be the proper one. I’ve met a number of illustration-obsessed individuals, whom I adore sharing stories with. Visually expressing my thoughts has been quite satisfying. Several honors, such as ADC 101 Annual, Communication Art 63 & 64, and the World Illustration Award, were presented to me at the beginning of my career, which gives me confidence in this professional change. My former scientific background has also influenced my artistic profession. I like to think about the subtleties of the picture, am attracted by the charm of nature, and like being influenced by natural science. I’ve created numerous works regarding the natural world, including plants, marine life, natural wonders, and natural calamities. Taking risks and moving out of one’s comfort zone, in my opinion, creates more opportunities for oneself, and through constant trial and error, one can discover a more brilliant self.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a competent illustrator and designer with over four years of professional experience based in New York City. I realize that a large range of abilities are required to become a good illustrator, therefore I polished my skills in both narrative and instructive illustrations for editorial, design, and patterning. My artwork is a combination of hand-drawn art and computer-aided drawing that I analyze carefully to achieve successful presentation and audience engagement through a visually compelling portrayal. I am happy to have shown my work at several exhibitions such as the 64th Society of Illustrators Annual, 63rd & 64th Communication Arts, 101st ADC Annual, and the World Illustration Award. It has taken me years of hard work to build my own drawing style that expresses my artistic voice and vision, and I am most proud of my “Lunar Dinosaur Fantasy Planet” painting. This work is particularly valuable to me because it questioned the concept that knowledge restricts imagination and displayed the possibility of creativity. My objective was to motivate individuals to maintain an open mind, be inventive and original, and value and believe in science. Many of my works, such “Backyard” and “City Chaos,” are inspired by daily life and depict the unpredictability and difficulties that our community experiences. Through my art, I hope to address mental health issues and give my audience a sense of serenity and tranquility. What thrills me most about my artwork is how individuals can find joy and empowerment in the ideals I depict in my paintings.
In the future, I intend to illustrate a children’s book that will allow me to expand upon my previous works and create a fantastical world. Just like my artwork that shows dinosaurs on the moon, I hope to break away from the limits of reality and explore my creative side to the maximum. I hope that my children’s book will inspire young readers in the same way that other picture books did for me as a child.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I believe that my resilience is evident in my capacity to constantly look on the bright side, my enthusiasm to embrace multidisciplinary art endeavors, and my willingness to share happy sentiments with my audience. Everyone will encounter negative feelings at some point in their lives, and I have always been curious about how to employ positive imagery to uplift others experiencing negative emotions or situations. For instance, my Backyard series was influenced by the many degrees of despair several of my acquaintances suffered during the pandemic. Fears about the future, disputes that emerged from living in a limited area with family, and worry and negativity from social media were the causes of depression. These external fears lead individuals to prioritize external issues over their own well-being. By my paintings, I hope to urge individuals to reconcile with themselves and raise awareness about mental health at this difficult time.

My Backyard series consists of three (and potentially four or five in the future) paintings that successively reflect reconciliation with oneself, one’s parents, and one’s disease. Each painting depicts a character attempting to overcome their mental health challenges. Several flowers in the picture provide distinct ideas related to the overarching theme. For instance, in the picture “Reconciliation with Self,” a humanoid shadow sews wings into the character’s back, creating scars. The gloom has left behind severe wounds, yet the stitching wings offer a new beginning. Throughout this procedure, the abstract patterns surrounding the character represent diverse emotional states.

I found via my Backyard project that artwork has the ability to communicate a message that can cure individuals. I hope that these artworks reflect my resiliency during challenging times and convey a significant and good message. My objective is to work with psychologists to develop a graphic novel on mental health that is therapeutic. Since childhood, I’ve been aware of how publications like “Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book about Living with ADHD” can benefit children with ADHD, including my father, who has the disorder. I hope that the audience can identify with the characters and be healed by the uplifting messages embedded in my artwork by narrating stories and externalizing the experiences. I intend for my book to assist readers with stress, romantic relationships, and other problems.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Prior to explaining the most important component of being an artist, I’d like to define art. Art, in my opinion, is about individual spirit, ideas, and emotional value in addition to its aesthetic appeal. As an illustrator, I think that my value resides in expressing my opinions and presenting issues through my work, inspiring my audience, and igniting debates.

Inspiration for my series “Nature and Being” came from the geological effects of earthquakes on cities. I did in-depth study on the geological characteristics of cities and the consequences of natural disasters on urban ecosystems and habitats. I depicted the intricate interaction between nature and human society in three pictures. I hope that my work will push the audience to ponder whether the cohabitation relationships seen in nature can also be used to alleviate the problems between urbanization and natural disasters. I appreciated seeing my audience engage in a variety of debates following the completion of this assignment. Many of my viewers indicated a desire to understand more about the geological implications of natural disasters and how cities might be structured to limit their effects.

The significance of artistic creativity lies not only in its power to produce beautiful objects, but also in its capacity to raise questions, stimulate thought, and solve problems. As an artist, I wish to continue to inspire my audience and contribute to a greater dialogue about the significance of art in contemporary culture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://esthertangarts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esthertang0719/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhiwen-tang-39363817b/

Image Credits
All Credits belong to Zhiwen Tang.