Today we’d like to introduce you to Longwen Miao.
Hi Longwen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started drawing when I was very young — people often told me I had a natural talent for it, and that became the beginning of my artistic journey. For a long time, I simply enjoyed creating, but it wasn’t until my undergraduate years that I began to question why I was making art.
While many of my classmates were busy exploring different artistic styles or mediums, I was more concerned with: what does it mean for me to study art in the first place? The answer came to me slowly. It wasn’t until my senior year that I finally understood why illustration mattered to me — that it’s not just about technique or visual appeal, but about translating thought and emotion into something that speaks beyond language.
During that time, I also started to feel a bit lost within the fast-paced nature of our projects. I wondered whether, in that speed, my work could truly hold the strength and meaning I wanted it to convey. That uncertainty became the motivation behind my decision to pursue graduate study.
Ironically, the process of preparing my graduate application — the research, reflection, and long hours of quiet work — was one of the most fulfilling creative experiences I’ve ever had. It grounded me and gave me the clarity I needed. That mindset has continued to guide me through my current graduate journey, reminding me that art, for me, is as much about discovery as it is about expression.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say the road has been completely smooth, but I also don’t see the challenges as obstacles. For me, the process has always been about searching for meaning — and sometimes that search can feel uncertain or slow. But I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away.
As long as I keep asking the right questions and stay honest with myself, I’m still moving forward. I don’t believe we need to pressure ourselves to reach clarity within a fixed timeline or to constantly prove that our work is “functional.” The unknown is part of the creative process, and we have to admit that no idea is also a form of self expression.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work reflects my personal attitude toward both aesthetics and society. Whether I’m creating something poetic, critical, or childlike, each piece is a form of self-expression — a mirror of how I perceive the world. I often deal with large or abstract themes, but what matters most to me is constantly clarifying my own position within them. I believe that awareness — knowing where I stand in the conversation — gives my work its honesty and strength.
Visually, I often explore the intersection between nature and human emotion, drawing inspiration from tree forms, memories, and time. I work across illustration, painting, and 16mm film, blending analog texture with contemporary sensibility. What sets my practice apart is its quiet but deliberate tone — I don’t seek to make loud statements, but to let meaning emerge subtly through visual rhythm and emotion.
What does success mean to you?
From my perspective, the idea of success is far too broad to define in one way. In the conventional sense, being at the top of one’s field is considered success. But so is dedicating your life to helping others, or simply staying committed to one thing for a long time. A person who can hold onto their original intention throughout their life — that, too, is a form of success.
Interestingly, even someone who abandons moral restraint and pursues power at all costs might also be seen as “successful” by certain societal standards. So, I think success itself carries a very existential tone — it’s not just an achievement, but a state of being that reflects the values of a particular society or group.
For me personally, success is not about reaching an external goal, but about maintaining awareness — continuing to question, to create, and to stay honest with myself in the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://miao.pictures/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mervinmiao?igsh=cmQ1N2F0amV1YTlq&utm_source=qr
