Artist Wenqi became obsessed with electronic painting after first coming into contact with it in 2019, and resolutely decided to devote herself to the painting industry and become a freelance illustrator. She is good at finding inspiration in life, and constantly looks forward to the process of gradually clarifying her ideas in her creation.

Q&A

Creative Inspiration and Motivation

1. 

Zixi:  What inspired you to pursue art creation?

Wenqi Ma: It happened quite naturally; there wasn't a specific moment that sparked it. I have always loved beautiful things, and after seeing many of them, I started shaping my personal expression through my own aesthetic.

2. 

Zixi: You studied Landscape Architecture in college. What led you to enter the illustration industry?

Wenqi Ma: Similarly, there wasn't a deliberate effort to enter this field. I initially wanted to use painting as a way to find some peace within myself.

3. 

Zixi: How does illustration differ from landscape architecture? What similarities do they share?

Wenqi Ma: The focus might be different. Creating illustrations requires a deeper analysis of oneself and a more personal expression, while landscape architecture serves a broader audience, often necessitating that personal preferences yield to the comfort and convenience of others. However, I've recently had new insights regarding this. I initially believed that painting should capture my unique perspective, but I've come to realize that using painting as an expression can also allow me to see others and seek out shared experiences of suffering in the world. This may create a connection and a sense of comfort among us.

Creative Process

1. 

Zixi: How would you describe your creative style, and how has it evolved?

Wenqi Ma: My style is quite variable, or perhaps I should say it lacks a specific identity. It changes depending on my mental state, which is still in a relatively immature phase and can fluctuate significantly. Prior to my latest series, my works didn't convey much emotion; the creation process felt akin to aimlessly wandering through a city. This past spring, I suddenly grew weary of creating merely beautiful things and began shifting my focus to explore many emotions I had previously swallowed down, resulting in the emergence of a new style. However, upon closer inspection, the techniques haven't changed much. This detailed approach is also linked to my personality's desire for control.

2. 

Zixi: Do you believe your work has a specific audience? If so, who are they and why?

Wenqi Ma: If I consider this, my intuition tells me that those interested in my art likely share a more reserved aspect in their personalities. I believe that similar individuals are drawn to each other in mysterious ways, even if they don't know one another.

3. 

Zixi: How do you handle creative blocks or periods of low inspiration?

Wenqi MA: When I struggle to produce, it indicates that I haven't taken in enough inspiration. I tend to read light books or watch films as a more relaxed way of learning. 

4.

Zixi: Can you share your creative process from conception to completion of a work?

Wenqi Ma: It often feels like I am making a dumpling out of a little vinegar—first, I grasp a small flicker of inspiration and then fill in the gaps with other content.

5.

Zixi: Do you prioritize planning or improvisation in your work?

Wenqi Ma: I focus on improvisation with a plan in mind.

Personal Perspective and Emotional Expression

1.

Zixi: What themes or emotions do you often express in your work? Do these themes hold special significance for you?

Wenqi Ma: My content frequently includes elements of traditional Chinese painting, reflecting my personal preferences. The creation process and observational perspective in traditional Chinese art allow me to feel quite small, as if I were just a speck of dust in the vast human experience. Emotionally, I tend to lean toward experiencing pain. Feeling pain is essential to one's completeness; with pain, joy becomes even more precious.

2. 

Zixi: How have your personal experiences influenced your artistic creation?

Wenqi Ma: I am grateful for my traumas.

3. 

Zixi: What experience or feelings do you hope audiences gain from your work?

Wenqi MA: I don't really have specific expectations. When people view artistic works, it's like looking in a mirror. Given how different our life experiences are, any resonance we share is a matter of fate.

Art and Society

1.

Zixi: How do you view the role and function of art in society?

Wenqi Ma: The world doesn't necessarily need art, but art does make the world a better place.

2.

Zixi: How do social, political, or cultural issues influence your work?

Wenqi Ma: Creation cannot be separated from the individual, and the individual cannot be divorced from their era. Works will inevitably bear the characteristics of their time; if the current environment is tumultuous, even a piece depicting a harmonious theme will appear ephemeral. 

3. 

Zixi: How should contemporary art respond to current social issues?

Wenqi Ma: Observation itself is a form of response.

Future Outlook

1. 

Zixi: What plans or visions do you have for your future creations?

Wenqi MA: I haven't considered this for the time being.

2. 

Zixi: Would you try new mediums or art forms?

Wenqi MA: If I encounter a form that interests me, I would certainly give it a try.

3. 

Zixi: Are there any special projects or collaborations currently underway or planned?

Wenqi MA: Not at the moment.

Work Insights

1. 

Zixi: Which series do you currently favor the most, and why?

Wenqi MA: I would say the “Speechless” series, as it has released many of my hidden emotions.

2. 

Zixi: Is there a particular work you are eager to discuss?

Wenqi MA: I personally like the piece titled “I Love You.” When a person doesn't know how to receive love, they often resort to giving rather than asking for it, seeking others’ pity instead. The process of loving is uncomfortable for me—it's stifling, suffocating, and involves a transformation of the self—but I cherish the traces it leaves on me.

Creativity is like a slide under a microscope for Wenqi. By magnifying every common thing, you can see a different world. We look forward to her exploring more media and themes in her subsequent creations.

Written by Zixi Yang