Today we’d like to introduce you to Fangyu Ma.
Hi Fangyu, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I come from a small city in Shandong Province, China. Growing up, my parents were busy with work, so I spent much of my childhood with my grandparents in the countryside. My grandfather was skilled in pen and ink, and my grandmother enjoyed drawing simple floral and avian patterns that she would then stitch onto insoles. It’s likely due to their influence that I began drawing at a young age. I took the art exam during college entrance exams and was accepted into the architecture department of the Academy of Fine Arts. However, during my junior year, I realized my true passion lay in illustration and decided to pursue further studies abroad.
I am grateful for my time at the Academy, where I was exposed to a free and open environment with lectures by renowned artists from both home and abroad. I had the privilege of hearing Niki St. Phalle, David Hockney, and Koolhaas speak in person, and Niki St. Phalle’s work had a profound impact on me. Her personal story of transforming her violent paintings into cheerful ones after a traumatic childhood inspired me to have the confidence to reinvent myself. This led to a transition in my style from black to color, which I continue to incorporate in my decorative paintings today, with the aim of bringing pure visual pleasure to the viewer. I also use illustration to tell stories and express my perspectives, resulting in a diverse range of styles in my portfolio.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey wasn’t particularly seamless, encountering numerous challenges both significant and trivial. From an artist who just get into the market’s perspective, I believe the most challenging aspect remains discovering one’s unique style and securing a successful entry into the industry upon graduation. I think anyone with a passion and dedication for illustration desires recognition from the industry and acknowledgment from the public. When this ideal cannot be achieved swiftly, it becomes a daily struggle to adapt one’s mindset and maintain a consistent output.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My artwork is divided into two categories: decorative and narrative illustrations. Decorative illustrations serve as purely visual representations, while narrative illustrations express my ideas and opinions. For instance, a still-life piece would fall under decorative illustration and could be displayed in a restaurant to enhance the ambiance. In these works, I use bright, lively colors to evoke a pleasant mood, as I aim to create an attractive illustration that can stand on its own.
Animals are a personal favorite theme for my decorative illustrations. In these works, I use rabbits and flies as my subjects because they evoke both feelings of weakness and insignificance, as well as the strong reproductive abilities of rabbits and the vitality of flies. By doing so, I hope to challenge traditional perspectives and encourage new ways of seeing and feeling.
My graduation project represents my most significant foray into narrative illustration. Although it lacks a clear storyline, it is an abstract representation of real events and serves as a memory and history of the self. I express this in a silent, yet powerful manner, hoping to connect with the audience.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Follow me on my social media for supporting me if you like my work. I’m represented by The Bright Agency. You are more than reach out to me through email with interesting projects!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.matuart.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tumatu_u/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/matuILLU
Image Credits
Fangyu Ma
