Today we’d like to introduce you to Yezi Lou.
Hi Yezi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in China for the first decade of my life. At the age of 16, I started my journey when I moved to the United States to pursue my education at a private high school in Long Island, New York. Little did I anticipate at the time that my path would lead me into the realm of Art, especially considering my complete absence of formal artistic training.
The city of my birth mirrored the conservative nature prevalent in many parts of China, characterized by a rigid occupational hierarchy that often verged on the absurd and surreal. In this societal framework, one’s worth was often intrinsically tied to conventional professions such as teaching, medicine, business, or civil service. Pursuing a career as an artist in such an environment seemed ridiculous.
I had never been an ordinary child, and by the time I reached my teenage years, I had developed a reputation for being unconventional and somewhat reckless. My primary pursuit was the pursuit of enjoyment, and the expectations of conformity imposed by society seemed stifling and uninspiring. However, the prospect of engaging in the world of art held an undeniable allure.
My initiation into art took place during the final year of my high school education. This newfound passion ignited a profound change in my life’s trajectory. I attend the School of Visual Arts in New York City, marking the formal commencement of my artistic studies. Now, I am a candidate at the UCLA MFA program. My artistic journey has evolved from illustration to the pursuit of fine arts, and the underlying purpose of my artistic studies has shifted from mere enjoyment to a profound exploration of my identity and social freedom.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In contrast to the experiences of many artists, my journey has been fairly smooth. Despite lacking a formal background in art, I found myself welcomed into several prestigious art schools and eventually secured a place in a renowned graduate program. My story stands out as atypical in the world of artists, as it diverges from the often-traumatizing narratives that inspire many in the field.
In terms of family dynamics, mine could be described as harmonious and ordinary. My father has never been violent, and my parents have maintained a stable marriage throughout my life. Our financial situation has always been decent, and by societal standards in my country, ours is a family to be lauded. However, this seemingly idyllic background posed its own set of challenges when it came to pursuing higher education, particularly in the arts.
Initially, my parents were apprehensive about my desire to further my art education. Rooted in traditional values, they adhered to the belief that females should not prioritize higher education, as it might complicate the process of finding a suitable spouse—an expectation deeply ingrained in our culture. Throughout this period of negotiation, I remained steadfast in my commitment to art. Still, I found myself very lucky.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I engage with a diverse range of artistic mediums, primarily encompassing painting, drawing, and printmaking. Depicting the confrontation between familiarity and defamiliarity, the subject in my works may not be immediately understood as to exactly how they were supposed to be, while some audience views them as general observational art, perhaps satisfying my idea of the unwanted attention. My artistic expression is the integration of hybrid cultures and languages, along with a deliberate disillusionment that challenges the prevailing optimism often associated with American culture. The subjects depicted in my works often exist on the periphery of awareness, imbued with abstract and cultural significance, transcending any singular purpose. By approaching the concept of “portraiture,” each painting can be seen as a reflection of my self-representation or an extension of my identity. This form of “self-objectification” embodies my cognition of collective experience and social freedom.
Ironically, what sets me apart from many others in my field is my deliberate avoidance of doing so. Instead, my artistic endeavor conveys a concept that transcends the notion of special privilege among human traits. My work challenges the idea that characteristics (such as gender, sexuality, race, education, financial status, etc.) can define the superiority of our species. In my pursuit, I refrain from highlighting the significance of my own identity. Rather, I aim to convey this message through the portrayal of the most ordinary and commonplace objects. My art serves as a medium through which I can communicate this idea that the essence of humanity extends beyond the boundaries of individual attributes, emphasizing our shared interconnectedness.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
While I may not be the type of person who meticulously plans every aspect of my life, I have been contemplating the possibility of establishing my career in the United States. This decision carries with it the potential for a significant life change, one that might entail a profound shift in my relationship with my parents when they found out my queer identity and stopped talking to me (Just kidding and hopefully not).
Contact Info:
- Website: yezilou.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departurepoem/
