Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhiwen (Esther) Tang.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My artistic journey began in my childhood when I discovered the joy of capturing life around me through drawings. This passion led me to pursue a degree in illustration at the School of Visual Arts. There, I was introduced to new techniques and honed my own unique style through experimentation. My works often tackle socially relevant themes, such as culture, sexuality, and diversity. For example, my piece “Womanity” celebrates the beauty and individuality of women from various cultural backgrounds.
Being recognized for my works in several exhibitions, including the 64th Society of Illustrators Annual, 2023 Muse Award, 101 ADC Annual, and American Illustration 41, has further fueled my motivation to continue developing my craft. I am currently working as a designer and am eager to continue learning and creating meaningful works of art.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As an artist, one of my biggest challenges is effectively communicating my ideas to the audience through my artwork. In the early stages of my career, it was difficult to convey complex concepts in a single illustration. To overcome this, I sought guidance from my professors and peers, as well as received feedback from friends on their understanding of my ideas. For instance, when creating the “Backyard” project, I conducted interviews with individuals close to me and conducted research on how the internet and the pandemic have impacted their mental health. This helped me develop the concept of using my art to encourage people to prioritize their mental well-being by taking breaks from work. To refine my vision, I created several drafts of the drawing, seeking feedback from the audience to determine which version they resonated with best. The final result was the “Backyard” series, depicting a mental healing process.
Another aspect of my artistic journey is the need to continually push myself with new techniques and themes. This can be daunting at times, as I don’t always know how my work will be received. However, the sense of accomplishment that comes with creating something new always outweighs any initial anxieties. For example, in “City Chaos,” I portrayed the events that took place in the city where I lived during a period of chaos, using my own research and observations. This large-scale drawing was a significant undertaking, requiring a great deal of time and effort. Despite the challenges, I cherish this piece of art as one of my most treasured creations.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a New York City-based illustrator and designer with five years of professional experience, I specialize in narrative illustration, utilizing both hand-drawn art and computer-aided techniques.
I take great pride in creating artwork that resonates with my audience. One of my most meaningful pieces, “Lunar Dinosaur Fantasy World,” was inspired by the idea that adults often tell children that certain things are impossible. I wanted to use this illustration to show that while the physical world may have limits, our imaginations know no bounds. I believe that innovation stems from our unrestricted creativity and imagination, and I am currently exploring similar concepts for a potential children’s book.
Many of my other works, such as the “Backyard” project, focus on capturing the lives and experiences around us. “City Chaos” reflects my personal feelings and observations of my city. I am constantly inspired by my daily encounters and experiences, and I use these to create artwork that represents the community. I am always eager to see what new inspirations and projects are on the horizon.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
As an artist, I believe that understanding my audience is crucial to my success. My most well-received works are those that capture everyday life and emotions. It is an ongoing process to continually explore and understand how my audience perceives my work. Before beginning a new project, I conduct research and interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the topic. I also have a close-knit group of fellow illustrators who serve as both friends and mentors, and we discuss our ideas and offer feedback to one another. For example, inspired by the geographical impact of earthquakes, I created the “Nature and Being” series. Through research on urbanization and disasters, I created a set of illustrations that explore the relationship between nature and society, with the goal of encouraging my audience to reflect on whether the coexistence found in nature could help resolve the conflicts between urbanization and natural disasters.
In addition to understanding the audience, it is also important for artists to have a strong voice in their work. Art can go beyond aesthetics and spark discussions and thoughts. To further refine my work, I invite artists to critique my pieces. This allows me to gain insight into what the audience thinks and helps me better convey my message. For instance, my drawing “Seafood Lives” depicts a plate of seafood in a narrative manner. When I invited peers to review it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had different interpretations of the work. Hearing these perspectives is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to continue creating thought-provoking pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://esthertangarts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esthertang0719/
Image Credits
All Credits belong to Zhiwen (Esther) Tang
