Today we’d like to introduce you to Mengyi Wang.
Mengyi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in Beijing and based in California, I am an internationally-published artist, and my paintings have been featured globally, including in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and more. I started exploring different art mediums as a child, including painting, drawing, calligraphy, photography, filmmaking, and seal carving. As an introverted kid, I didn’t know what “being an artist” meant, but I was always fascinated each time I picked up my paint brushes to express myself. Just like a pan shot of my paintbrush swiping across each canvas, my journey as an artist began then and has continued throughout the years.
My years studying Art and Film at UC Irvine and Global Communication at London School of Economics in London and University of Southern California in Los Angeles established me as an artist and exposed me to diverse cultural perspectives. These experiences have shaped my appreciation and incorporation of a wide range of elements into my artwork, both personally and professionally. I realized that picking up my pen and paintbrushes goes beyond merely depicting natural objects, and it has become a lens through which I reflect and convey my narrative storytelling in my acrylic paintings through multi-cultural layers.
These experiences have shaped me as a transnational and international artist and encouraged me to explore my artwork through an innovative blend of modern impressionism and traditional Chinese art. This unique blend inspires me to explore a wide range of symbolic layered themes, such as identity, memory, representation, and nature, in a way that feels both personal and universal to my audiences. It has allowed me to be recognized as an industry pioneer by Canada’s leading cross-border art association, The Canadian National Artists Association (CNAA), and to have my paintings featured in globally-distributed media, including the UK-originated Artist Talk Magazine, the Netherlands-printed Visual Art Journal, and Spain-based Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art Magazine.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I like to keep myself always on a journey, and there have certainly been ups and downs while exploring new chapters. Having lived and studied in various cities and countries, learning, and adapting to new cultures was adventurous but also culturally challenging at first. Each transition required me to adapt to new norms and environments. Allowing myself enough time to explore was the best way I found to process these cultural differences and social expectations. This approach helped me find my true artistic voice to reflect my unique cross-cultural experiences. All these journeys together have made me who I am today and have constantly inspired my fusion paintings.
On the other hand, balancing my fusion art styles and finding inspiration – especially the corresponding beauty of nature – has been crucial to my journey. However, inspiration has not always come easily. I used to think that inspiration needed to come from something significantly tremendous that was found in great wide places, which at times felt overwhelming. During a break, I began to visit quite a lot of local parks nearby; and one day, while standing on the steps of a park trail just minutes from my home, I watched the pink oleanders beautifully blooming on the hills. It was the first time in a long while that I paused to admire nature. That moment made me realize that beauty exists in the small everyday discoveries, regardless of the size of the environment. It was also a profoundly sentimental and emotional exploration that later inspired me to create my piece “Oleander in Canyon Hills.” Just like balancing my lifestyle in different places, whether in suburbs or metropolises, there is always nature presently waiting for me to admire its beauty. This journey has also guided me in balancing my art styles, blending modern impressionism with traditional Chinese art.
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?
I am a contemporary painting artist focusing on acrylic on canvas. My artworks present a view of narrative storytelling that spans the past, present, and future, to which I have a strong personal connection, such as memories, experiences, and the influences that have inspired me. Nature, animals, and landscape are frequently featured as central elements in my paintings.
My painting series “When Modern Impressionism Meets Traditional Chinese Art” is the main body of work I am best known for, which I combine two different art styles and fusion relationships together to reflect my cross-cultural heritage. Under the influence of my unique cross-cultural background, it has shaped me as an artist and also set me and my artworks apart from others. Born in Beijing, lived in London, and residing in California, I absorb the tremendousness of the historical capital, the glamourness of classic art and the fantasy of Disneyland. When I spot the beautiful lotuses blooming at the Huntington Library in California, I especially recall my childhood memories spent with my family at the Summer Palace watching lotus in the pond. This connection has deeply shaped my identity as an Asian woman artist living in the U.S., inspiring me to create my piece “Lotus in Memory.” This painting, along with others in the series, reflects my artistic voice and bridges my cultural experiences. In this series, I honor my roots while embracing new influences to create a healing process with balanced color palettes featuring various green hues as well as vivid pink and purple shades. These warm tones aim to offer a healing viewing experience and invite the viewers to a calm and positive journey no matter where they are when engaging with these pieces.
Throughout my artistic journey, I am deeply thankful for the awards, features and opportunities I have received locally, nationally, and internationally. One of my most proud achievements is exhibiting my work globally, including the U.S., Canada, and the UK. A highlight was participating in the 2024 International Exhibition of Calligraphy & Painting to showcase along with all other international artists from over 40 countries in Canada hosted by the forward-thinking cross-border art association, the Canadian National Artists Association (CNAA). It was an extraordinary honor to have my painting showcased along with master artists, such as Fan Zeng and Yushun Lu, whose works I have admired ever since the beginning of my journey. Beyond this recognition, being included in a China-Canada cross-border exhibition was deeply meaningful to me, and it allowed me to connect with and be recognized by my roots while also presenting my art to audiences who share similar backgrounds and to minorities living in North America.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is multi-faceted and evolves through each stage of my artistic journey. At my current stage, I believe success goes beyond achieving one singular milestone, and it is more about the ongoing personal and artistic journey of growth, creativity, and meaningful connections – with myself, my viewers and both local and international communities.
On a personal level, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction each time I complete a new painting, as it reflects my growth over time as an artist. On an artistic level, being recognized by international magazines is a profound honor. One of the highlights of my journey was having my artwork featured as the cover of the Netherlands-printed Visual Art Journal, selected among 45 international artists for that issue; and it is truly a moment that validated my creativity on a global stage.
Ultimately, success is also about leaving a meaningful impact on the world, one painting at a time. My artistic success becomes even more significant when my work resonates with others, sparking emotions or memories and creating a shared sense of understanding. Looking ahead, I aspire to connect more deeply with local communities as well as a broader audience, particularly those who share similar cultural backgrounds. Being an artist is a way of life, and true success lies in the connections I make and the narratives my art continues to tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mengyigracewang.wixsite.com/arts
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracewangsart/
- Other: https://www.brush.bio/mengyiwang; https://visualartjournal.com/2024/12/30/issue-15-december-2024/
Image Credits
Visual Art Journal magazine, Issue #15, December 2024Suggest a Story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
