Yongqi Tang: Strange Tales, Desire Dichotomy
Three Goddesses (Testing). Oil on yupo paper mounted on panel 30x20 in. 2022.
Wild Strawberries (After Luncheon on the Grass). Oil on panel. 22x30 in. 2023.
Dreamer. Acrylic on wood panel. 11x14 in. 2023.
Metamorphosis (Things I Didn't Say). Oil on panel. 24x30 in. 2022.
Artist Yongqi Tang.
Study for: Strange Tales The Painted Wall No.1. Part.i, ii., iii. Charcoal on paper. 43x129 in. 2022.
Strange Tales The Painted Wall. Oil on Canvas. 72x216 in. 2023.
Closeup of: Strange Tales The Painted Wall.
Yongqi Tang is a Chinese artist based in Seattle. She received her BA and MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Washington. She was the recipient of many awards over the last few years, including the Bernie Funk Artist Scholarship (2022), the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists Scholarship Award (2022), and the Boyer and Elizabeth Bole Gonzales Scholarship for Excellence (2021). Over the last few years she has exhibited her work in a solo show in Rome, and in group shows at galleries in New York City, and Seattle.
She currently has a solo exhibitions at Jupiter Contemporary, in Miami, Florida, and at the Specialist Gallery in Seattle, Washington.
How and when did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Although my childhood passion for drawing has stayed with me throughout my life, I didn't see becoming an artist as a viable career path at first and pursued it as a side interest while double-majoring in Psychology and Studio Art. However, as I continued taking art classes, immersing myself in the art community, and learning about available resources, I came to realize that being an artist was not an impossible dream.
It was my privilege and honor that many opportunities presented themselves to me right after graduation. I had the chance to teach as an adjunct at the University of Washington, completed residencies at Amazon and Field Projects, and was featured in numerous esteemed media outlets such as New American Paintings. I have just mounted my solo exhibition in Rome, Italy last month and will have another solo show at Jupiter Contemporary in Miami at the end of this May.
I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when I reflect on my journey as an artist. Drawing and painting have been a constant source of inspiration and happiness in my life, and I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions as well.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
As an artist, I draw inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including my personal life experiences and interests. For example, my latest large-scale painting, "Strange Tales: The Painted Wall," was inspired by the Qing dynasty book "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." This work serves as a visual response to the haunting ghost stories and folklore found within that literary masterpiece.
In addition to drawing inspiration from specific texts or cultural traditions, I also look to art history and other visual media for inspiration. From paintings to films, and from East Asia to the West, I draw upon a wide range of sources to inform my creative process. For instance, in "Strange Tales: The Painted Wall," I incorporated elements of early Renaissance frescoes alongside visual references to Tang dynasty Chinese mural paintings. This fusion of historical styles and cultural influences allows me to explore and experiment with new ideas and techniques.
Overall, my artistic inspiration is rooted in a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around us, and I seek to capture this richness in my work through a careful balance of tradition and innovation.
What themes do you explore in your work?
The themes I explore in my work are diverse, as I am interested in exploring various conceptual and formal ideas. To organize my paintings and focus of explorations, I categorized my paintings into different projects, each with its distinct emphasis. For example, one ongoing project, titled “Strange Tales”, explores the representation of female ghosts within Chinese culture. It examines how these spectral figures have historically embodied the marginalized others within the patriarchal system, highlighting the fear-desire dichotomy surrounding them.
In contrast, through drawing inspiration from my personal daily struggles, “Wild Strawberries” is a series of more intimate work that investigates the complexities of relationships and emotions. These projects have provided me with frameworks to explore different techniques and styles, but there is a common thread that runs through all of them---they are all deeply invested in the exploration of the human conditions. Whether it’s the examination of marginalized figures within the patriarchal system in “Strange Tales” or the introspective exploration of relationships and emotions in “Wild Strawberries”, my work consistently delves into the complexities of the human experience.
How do you start a new painting?
I have a very sequential process for every new painting. To begin with, I start by making numerous compositional studies in my sketchbook. Then, I create sculpture pieces based on the study I have chosen. Next, I produce a large charcoal drawing, almost the same size as the final painting, using the earlier compositional and sculptural studies as references. The purpose of this large drawing is to address any formal issues that may arise when scaling up the artwork. Afterward, I create small color studies and start the new painting based on one of them.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist most?
While I have countless experiences (some could even be dated back to my adolescence) that have shaped my current work the years spent in my BA and MFA program have impacted me the most. Although the program is not without flaws, I did learn the most fundamental working method there, which is very intense and research focused. From my professors I realized that good art could not just be based on whimsicality, but just like any other discipline, art also needs research, trial and error, and good work ethics. It has debunked some enduring myths of gifts for me, and given me the confidence to be an artist.
What advice do you have for newer artists just getting started in their career?
Keep good work ethics, and step out of your comfort zone.
What are your future goals and aspirations as an artist?
I really enjoy teaching art in addition to making it. Fortunately, I have already gained so many insights working with my students at the University of Washington as a lecturer—that being said, I aspire to become a tenure-track at a college-level institution in the future.
Website: www.yongqitang.blog / Instagram: @yongqiichiban