In an insightful conversation with Cindy, Xiaoyi Tang reveals the intimate connection between her emotions and the unique qualities of silk in her creations. Through TEAOC, we delve deeper into Tang’s use of this delicate medium, which allows her to layer, wash, and overlay colors, capturing subtle emotional nuances. With her personal experiences woven into each work, she invites audiences to explore both nature and introspection through her art.

1. 

Cindy:  Silk seems to be an important medium in your artistic creations. What attracted you to use this medium, and what unique qualities do you think it brings to emotional expression and sensory experience?

Xiaoyi Tang: Silk is a special painting medium and an important material in traditional Chinese painting. Its delicate and soft texture allows me to repeatedly layer, wash, and overlay colors, creating a rich sense of depth. Personally, I am quite sensitive and delicate in my emotions, and the characteristics of silk align perfectly with my creative needs. It allows me to precisely ex-press subtle color and texture changes, convey-ing those delicate and restrained emotions.

2. 

Cindy: You’ve mentioned that the creative process is also a form of introspection. Could you share the process or story of introspec-tion in your work “The Way We Were?”

Xiaoyi Tang: “The Way We Were” was a deeply personal exploration for me. While creating this work, I constantly thought about my relationship with the environment and searched for a sense of inner belonging. This “return” is not just about the protagonist returning to nature in a physical sense but also symbolizes a spiritual return. I chose green and orange as the basic color tones for the two works, representing the changing seasons of spring and autumn, and symbolizing the silent flow of time.

3. 

Cindy: In your works, there often appear symbolic spiritual creatures. Do they hold any special meaning for you, and what role do they play in your creations?

Xiaoyi Tang: In my works, animals such as deer, horses, dogs, leopards, and sheep fre-quently appear. They symbolize nature and often carry a kind of spiritual power, re-flecting my inner world. In the painting, these creatures are not just visual symbols but serve as a medium between me and the viewer, helping convey my thoughts on nature, life, and the underlying principles of existence.

Quest II

4. 

Cindy: You’ve created a world of nature filled with an array of plants and animals. How do you draw inspiration from the endless variations in nature?

Xiaoyi Tang: Every summer during my childhood, I would spend two months at my grandmother’s house in the mountains. I remember there was a pine forest, and the air was always filled with the pleasant scent of pine resin. After it rained, you could always find mushrooms in the damp forest. When you moved the stones in the shal-low creek, crabs would scatter in all directions… These childhood experiences have always soothed my inner world. Now, whenever I have time, I visit botanical gardens, parks, or go hiking to observe the different growth forms of plants and animals. My creations are essentially a way of capturing those details that move me.

5. 

Cindy: You’ve mentioned the importance of respecting traditional Chinese painting while also pushing the boundaries of expression. What has been the biggest challenge in bal-ancing these two aspects, and how have they shaped your growth as an artist?

Xiaoyi Tang: I think the biggest challenge in bal-ancing respect for tradition with seeking innova-tion is finding a way to express myself within the framework of traditional techniques and spirit. On one hand, there is the aesthetic tradition that has lasted for thousands of years, and on the other, the fast-paced development of modern society and the frequent international exchang-es that create a sense of disconnect. I hope to absorb elements that benefit my creations and create in alignment with my inner world.

6. 

Cindy: Your works guide the audience into re-flection, encouraging self-exploration. How do you think art helps individuals explore themselves, and what kind of experience do you hope your audience gains from your works?

Xiaoyi Tang: I believe art is a mirror for self-ex-ploration. It can trigger inner thoughts and emo-tional resonance through the visual experience. When viewers resonate with a piece, it’s often because they see something that aligns with their own emotions or experiences. My works are often related to nature, and I hope that when viewers look at my works, they can feel a sense of peace, far removed from the noise of every-day life.

Yo Yo

7.

Cindy: As a graduate of the Chinese Painting Academy, how do you view this traditional art community, and what is your perspective on its acceptance or attitude towards innovation in contemporary creation?

Xiaoyi Tang: The traditional art community often maintains a respect for classical techniques and aesthetics, and this preservation is valuable. However, it also limits emotional expression to some extent. Just as many Chinese people ex-press emotions in a reserved manner, traditional Chinese painting also embodies this restrained and conservative quality. In my learning experi-ence, I felt that the traditional art world places more emphasis on the mastery of techniques and less on emotional expression. Personally, I hope to break these limitations and use artistic language to express emotions, giving my works a stronger emotional tension.

8.

Cindy: As an artist who just graduated last year, have you faced any challenges since formally entering the art world? How have you dealt with these challenges, and how have these experiences influenced your work?

Xiaoyi Tang: I am currently setting up my own art studio, and while I will continue creating, I also hope to ease the financial pressure through studio income. I still remain optimistic about the future. The challenge for me now is that, during the studio’s operation, my personal time is com-pressed, and I have less time for creation. Bal-ancing work and art is something I need to manage carefully.

9.

Cindy: In the upcoming creative phase, are there any new artistic directions or ideas brewing?

Xiaoyi Tang: When I was studying traditional Chi-nese painting in school, I started experimenting with various new creative methods, such as pas-tels, colored pencils, printmaking, murals, and digital painting. Compared to traditional materi-als, these different mediums have given me a lot of new inspiration. Currently, I am working on some pieces combining pastels and colored pencils. These two mediums are particularly suited for capturing my short-term emotional fluctuations. I’m exploring how to better combine the characteristics of traditional Chinese paint-ing with strong emotional expression to convey richer feelings through this fusion.

As Xiaoyi Tang embarks on the next chapter of her artistic journey, may her creative explorations continue to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide. We at TEAOC look forward to witnessing her unique blend of tradition and innovation flourish, bringing new dimensions to contemporary Chinese art.

Written by Cindy Ye