Today we’d like to introduce you to Webson Ji.
Hi Webson, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a multimedia artist and curator based in New York City. I moved to the US to further pursue my artistic career in my early twenties with a bachelor’s degree in Public Art from the China Academy of Art, and have been living and working in New York City after graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design with a Master’s degree in Sculpture. My project-based practice reflects my thoughts during different stages of my lifetime with a focus on illustrating the malleable presentation of water. I used to get professional training as a swimmer for seven years during my youth, and I got obsessed with how human beings interact with water. I present my interpretations of this meditation to my viewers through various industrial materials in my projects.
I am also the founder and creative director of the Li Tang community. Li Tang is a New York-based community dedicated to amplifying the creative voices of the contemporary Asian diaspora. Established in 2020, Li Tang aims to feature the works and talents of today’s most innovative Asian practitioners working in the varied fields of art and culture.
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?
There are always obstacles living as an emerging artist, but I’m doing Okay. People talk about work-and-life balance all the time, especially living in big cities like New York, LA, etc., but I think it is more about the mindset that we have when we are chasing our dreams. Take slow steps, and don’t rush into money. I treat art with love and respect and expect nothing in return, so it is working fine with me even though I don’t make big money out of my art. I work to pay bills and put food on the table, and art becomes part of my lifestyle. In this way, I get a lot easier to handle the pressure and keep my art the way it should be.
As a community leader, sometimes things may not be easy. I see myself as more of a provider when I interact with the Li Tang community, so sometimes I have to keep my cool and provide. Too many personal characters might not be a good idea if I want to solve a problem in order to help other people succeed, so there is a subtle balance between showing my characters when I focus on my own art projects and empowering others instead of my own.
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 explore the essence of emotions by pairing together materials and the natural. Water, movement, and nature play an enormous role in my work. With a background of professional training as a competitive swimmer during my youth, my project-based practice mainly focuses on the presentation of water, combining it with various materials to present my understanding of dichotomy, struggle, and meditation.
Growing up in a rapidly developing China, I was surrounded by the industrial boom and artificial materials. These materials take on issues of urban development, environmental pollution, population growth, and the sense of uncertainty and loneliness. On the other hand, water is a universal substance, something that is constant and offers me calmness and peace. Influenced by water and materials, my practice experiments with how the two can co-exist.
My works have been widely exhibited nationally and internationally. My solo exhibition was held at Obition, Seoul, South Korea in 2020. Other exhibitions include solo exhibitions at theBlanc Gallery in Manhattan, NY 2019; Besharat Museum Gallery, Atlanta, GA 2019; Garcia Wilburn Gallery, Atlanta, GA 2018, as well as group shows at the High Line Nine Gallery, Manhattan NY; Oculus World Trade Center, Manhattan NY; Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn NY; La Mama La Galleria, Manhattan NY; Novado Gallery, Jersey City NJ; BINNAR Art Festival, Portugal; Antilia Gallery, Italy; Loosenart Gallery, Rome Italy; CICA Museum, Gyeonggi-do South Korea; Gustein Gallery, Savannah GA; Yonsei University, Seoul South Korea; Z-Art Center, Shanghai China.
In July 2018, I was honored as the Best Young Artist of the Year of the 2018 GAMMA Young Artist Competition in Tokyo, Japan, out of 226 participants from over 26 different countries. In February 2019, I exhibited his work in a group art exhibition curated by the Asian Cultural Center at New York City’s landmark, the Oculus World Trade Center. I was a recipient of the 2021 AACYF Top 30 Under 30 list by the All-America Chinese Youth Federation.
My work and practice were covered by news media and press like Art China, Sina, Sohu, Ifeng, Chinaweekly, The China Press, VoyageATL, China Underground, as well as magazines and catalogs like Aesthetica Magazine, Creative Quarterly, Al-Tiba9 Art Magazine, APERO catalogue, ArtAscent.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m known as a productive person among my friends, but I don’t use a lot of my time creating art. I only work on my art projects when I feel the time is right. Sometimes, I work overnights to do one work; sometimes I don’t do art at all for months!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.websonji.com, www.litang.zone, www.litanggallery.com
- Instagram: @websonji
- Facebook: @websonji
