Meet Mengyan Luo | learner and communicator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mengyan Luo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mengyan, why did you pursue a creative career?
For me, art is something that makes me feel reassured and calm. I often feel uneasy about sudden changes in the outside world. The feeling of being overwhelmed and helpless when something uncontrollable happens or original plans are disrupted. And the urgency to seize the moment and re-plan was exhausting. And artistic creation is something I can control, and everything about it comes from my ideas. I can boldly express my inner thoughts through art. Even if it’s absurd, boring, ridiculous, incomprehensible.

Another reason is that art is my statement about the world. Because many times they are abstract and difficult to express in words. This seems to be my kind of waiting. Waiting for someone who understands what I’m talking about, but I don’t feel anxious about it, I just wait quietly.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In fact, it has only been two years since I started working in art. Before this I had been working in interior design. There is actually a big difference between interior design and art. Interior design is more like integrating one’s own design ideas on a carrier to present the customer’s needs. The core goal of the entire design work is actually to satisfy the customer. Because they are the main body in this design activity.

Out of my interest in art, I came to London to become a student of Goldsmiths MFA fine art. I changed from a viewer of art to a creator of art. But the reality is that the freedom of contemporary art is very unaccustomed to me who has been engaged in design for a long time. I no longer have a carrier to design, nor do I have a client to express my needs. So for a while at the beginning, I felt very confused and overwhelmed. So I started trying to find some grand social issues, trying to make myself a voice of social phenomena, and do something meaningful and valuable. To make your art meaningful. But in fact I don’t have such a big energy and artistic foundation to do this. This act of making art for the sake of making art put me in a deep vortex.

Later, after talking with some artists and tutors, I readjusted my direction. I began to focus on myself and explore my inner thoughts about myself and the outside world. I also gradually discovered that the social attributes existing in myself radiated outward little by little from myself.
When I started to talk to myself sincerely and face my heart honestly, I also discovered my inner wealth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would like to recommend my hometown Xiamen to my friends. She is a beautiful little island. There is a gentle sea breeze and warm sunshine. When you arrive in Xiamen, you must try Xiamen’s delicacies. There are all kinds of freshest seafood, sand tea noodles, bamboo shoot jelly, five-spice, and taro buns. Various snacks. From Zhenhai Road to Xiamen University, we walked and ate. From the beautiful cityscape to the golden beach at sunset. Sit on the beach, drink a bottle of beer, and watch the sun disappear over the sea.

Take a boat to Gulangyu Island, visit Sunlight Rock and appreciate the beautiful scenery of the island. There is a rich world of architectural culture on it. The century-old buildings with distinctive characteristics from various countries are waiting silently on the island. There are also Shuzhuang Garden and Organ Museum. Strolling in the alleys of Gulangyu Island, you can feel the strong cultural atmosphere.

Of course, Xiamen is also a very suitable city for cycling. Rent a bicycle and ride along the Ring Road, enjoying the sea views along the way. Starting from Baicheng of Xiamen University and going all the way to Huangcuo.
Continue riding to Yefengzhai and enjoy the beach and sea bathing. In addition to sea views, Xiamen also has an aerial bicycle path that spans the entire island. Along the mountain road full of green landscapes, you can freely shuttle in the air against the mountain breeze.

You can also wander around the market, chat with the old people under the banyan tree at the intersection, and drink a cup of Fujian tea. Walk leisurely through the alleys and feel the leisurely and comfortable life atmosphere of Xiamen people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a person with social anxiety and an avoidant attachment personality I am grateful for the friends I have met since coming to the UK.

Their delicate thoughts and calm attitude towards life deeply influenced me. We often have conversations that touch the deepest parts of our hearts. It changed my mind and my thoughts about art a lot. They encouraged me, who was socially anxious, to bravely fight for myself. Express generously to others that you need help. Speak up bravely and don’t be afraid of rejection.

I am very grateful to have met you all in my short life. This is a great gift!

Website: https://luomengyan.cargo.site/

Instagram: luomengyan

Image Credits
Source: Mengyan Luo