Meet Angie Wang | Artist & Illustrator

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

Hi Angie, why did you pursue a creative career?
It’s not that I chose art, it’s that art has been guiding me forward. Everything started when I picked up a pencil unintentionally early in childhood, and it just never came to an end. It is my most faithful companion of no conditions. I switched my career from science to art in college, which is when I could finally embrace it and give back the love and joy I get from art to those I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from other artists is the full expression of feelings and emotions. I have always been obsessed with modernist paintings. My personal work is comprised of realistically rendered figures in subjective colors and symbolic actions. For me, geometric composition and realistic figures are like a static contemplation, while colors and brushstrokes are like emotions suppressed by pensions and reality. I expect my art to be like a mirror that reflects people’s truest feelings, and they deserve to be seen. I believe that all emotions ultimately come from love. I’m very proud of what I’ve done so far to achieve that goal, which is to keep opening my heart to people, to feel and see, and keep experimenting with techniques creating and observing.

There was a transformation. From my background, people had a common opinion, that artists starve. I was supposed to devote myself to science or engineering since both of my parents are so. I appeared logical, goal-oriented, and “smart”. Meanwhile, I kept music and art as a kingdom of my own, where I store all the restlessness and nonsense other than the everyday norm. This secret sense of division continued until it reached its peak in college when I continued to study biology, while exposed to tons of literature and artworks, as well as courses in sociology, psychology, and philosophy. I was then inspired by great artists who all have one thing in common, which is a belief in human nature. That’s when I finally decided to get “out of track”, in a good way, to pursue art as a professional. Once I got focused on this goal, everything seemed to happen slowly but sequentially. The vision of the future gradually becomes clear, I hear resonance from others through my art, and I meet friends whom I’ll cherish for my life. I feel like I belong here.

I guess I’m lucky, rather define it’s easy or not. My career itself as an artist is a huge reward for me being honest with my heart, which I’ve overlooked for a long and I value so much now. As an overthinker, I kept asking myself questions. What do I want? How many walls need to be broken? Which thoughts are from myself, or from someone else? I found that the mind is always trying to deceive the heart, although sometimes for kind reasons, it’s covering up for those truths that I didn’t want to face. At those moments, I found that everything I strive for with a true heart would back me up and give me strength in turn.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Savannah is a small pearl near the sea, serene and beautiful. There are lots of hidden gems in the downtown area that linger my attention in just one casual walk. I spend most of my daytime wandering through different coffee shops to find a working spot. The Gallery Espresso is literally a small museum full of both vintage and youthful characters, and they have the best mocha and herbal tea. Java Burritos Company is another cozy place to spend a day in with their honey lavender latte and burritos.

I had my best friend from St. Louise on a five-day visit last year. We walked through E Bay Street and W Broughton Street. These are the liveliest places here, but not noisy at all. Food wise, Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar, Olympia’s Café, and the Crab Shack are perfect for Cajun and all kinds of delicious seafood; E-tang, Madame Butterfly, PJ Thai, and Namaste for Asian flavors; Myrtle & Rose for wines, exquisite snacks, and the best rooftop view of the riverside; Better than Sex Dessert Restaurant for more spices.

I’d say Tybee Beach is a must-go. We went there on a full moon night with ingenuity. Listening to the sound of the waves and watching the soft shadows cast by the few people in the moonlight, I felt an absolute tranquility and a slow, natural rhythm.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t have been so far without the amazing people who have always been so supportive and encouraging. I would say my parents for their unconditional love and support, my talented artist friends in the music club who created fantastic art and talked about ideals with full passion, and all the professors and friends I met at SCAD. They infected me with enthusiasm and guided me with professional knowledge so that I could become a better version of myself.

Instagram: @yinzi_art