Rising Stars: Meet JP Wang of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to JP Wang

Hi JP, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a multimedia artist working with projections, glass, light, and color. My journey in the arts began at a pivotal moment when my adviser, Mitchel Polin, encouraged me to take his scriptwriting class. At the time, I was at a crossroads in my life, unable to continue with economics as my major. I embraced his advice to “write about anything,” which ignited my passion for storytelling and the magic of live performances. Through exploring the theater world, I absorbed the essence of human interactions.
As I moved on to graduate school, I turned my focus to art installations, exploring the relationship between humans and the spaces they inhabit. Transitioning from theater to fine art, I concentrated on crafting tangible pieces. The theme of my work centers on human emotions, which I believe are the most glorious aspects of humanity. Whether it’s grief, sorrow, or happiness, these emotions have the power to unite everyone who experiences my work.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We choose our struggles just as we choose our paths to happiness. At the start of my artistic career, I was aware of the potential obstacles: financial instability, creative uncertainty, and an unclear career trajectory. Transitioning from economics to stage management to fine art was a clear step into the unknown.

Before embracing my artistic side, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy because I had never been formally “trained” as an artist. I couldn’t draw perfectly, dance, or sculpt beautifully. I didn’t think I was qualified. However, I was fortunate to have a supportive community that encouraged me to combine my limited knowledge of various media and create something beautiful. They taught me that sometimes the best art doesn’t come from skill alone but from the mind.

Art can be appreciated in all its forms, as long as the artist has a firm idea of building something meaningful to themselves, it can potentially resonate with others. With this understanding, I began to develop both my skills and my ability to stay true to my emotions, creating pieces that intuitively relate to others.

I couldn’t have achieved any of this without their encouragement. I want to give a big shout-out to my undergraduate mentors, Mitchell Pilin and Theresa Incampo. They are the foundation of my work and my unwavering determination to build my little art world.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create sculptures and interactive video art, focusing on the interaction between people and the spaces they inhabit. My theater background heavily influences my work, particularly in my use of dramatic lighting to enhance the ambience of an exhibition. I always consider how lighting will impact the space. One of my notable works, “The Spring of the Unperished,” provides a space for mourning, serving as a middle ground between home and the graveyard. I use blue lighting to illuminate the entire room, evoking the sensation of being under a sea of sorrow. This installation connects family history and personal relationships, conveying these emotions to the world above. It allows people to process their grief in a unique, reflective environment, blending personal and collective experiences.

My diverse experiences across different art mediums have shaped my professional journey, fueling my passion for pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling and exploring the limitless possibilities within immersive environments. Moving on to my next piece, I am creating a virtual environment that invites interaction, allowing people to eventually build their own storylines.

How do you think about happiness?
I am happy right now because I am on the path to creating things that I love, and I am supported by the people around me—my family, my mentors, and my friends. Happiness doesn’t exist in isolation; it reveals its true nature when we are pursuing our dreams. For me, happiness comes from the desire to chase dreams and the struggles we face along the way. If we achieve anything too easily, the reward will eventually lose its meaning. It’s through sweat and tears that the fruits of our labor become truly satisfying.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wangjingpei.com

Image Credits
Tian Liu
Gi Ahn