Meet Xinyu Liu | Artist

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

Hi Xinyu, why did you pursue a creative career?
I am a mixed-media artist currently based in New York, working across various mediums, including installations, sculpture, and video. For a long time, I felt directed by others rather than following my own path. In high school, I was required to attend a three-month art training program because universities had lower admission requirements for art students. Eventually, I was assigned to a major in product design.

The turning point in my decision to become an artist in New York came at the end of 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many international graduates and resident artists returned to China. This led to a sudden surge of new art spaces, art book fairs, artist groups, and residency programs in Shanghai. The high-quality artworks, unique operational styles, and unconventional gallery spaces, both online and offline, repeatedly caught my attention. Over the course of a year, I engaged with these institutions, read art reviews, and studied art history, gradually developing an understanding of contemporary art.

I started creating art work in 2021. I’ve never experienced a moment of inspiration. Each time I create, it’s a meticulous and painful process, fraught with anxiety and frown. But this doesn’t drain my energy; instead, it captivates me, becoming addictive.

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2022, I decided to pursue a Master of Fine Arts at an art school in New York, aiming to start my art career there as a student.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work on diverse mediums, including installations, sculpture, and video. My work explored the unseen zheand intangible energies that permeate our surroundings and pivotal moments in architectural and emotional upheaval space. Recently, I am focusing on the collective apprehension connected to the uncertainty and the human psyche’s response when on the verge of transformation.

It’s important to acknowledge that I’m still in the early stages of my career, and any achievements are just the beginning.It’s difficult to define what is easy. Because I find that the deeper I delve into many subjects, the more challenging they become, but the joy of passion propels me to tackle difficulties and solve problems.

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is the importance of patience. Rushing into things often leads to chaos and slows down progress. I’ve realized that creativity requires time and accumulation. It’s about immersing oneself in the work of predecessors, exploring various mediums, and continuously experimenting to find one’s own path.

Expanding on this, I’ve come to understand that success in the creative field isn’t just about talent or hard work; it’s about resilience and a willingness to learn from setbacks. Every challenge I’ve faced has been an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. When creating my first land art piece, I stood on the rocky shore, placing a giant kite while simultaneously controlling a drone to capture the process, which filled me with excitement. Whether it’s overcoming self-doubt, navigating through rejection, or learning to balance artistic vision with practicality, each experience has shaped me into a better artist and individual.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Lower East Side in New York holds a special place in my heart as it offers a concentration of galleries, excellent dining options, and shopping opportunities. I highly recommend exploring galleries such as Spencer Brownstone Gallery, Hannah Traore Gallery, Bitforms Gallery, James Cohan, and Thomas Nickles Project. Conveniently, these galleries are all within walking distance of each other, allowing you to immerse yourself in the art scene while strolling past various restaurants, cafes, and bars. Moreover, the area provides easy access to iconic neighborhoods like Soho and Chinatown, making it an ideal destination for a day of exploration in the city.

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?
So far, my graduate school, the School of Visual Arts in New York, has provided me with tremendous support.

I have met many accomplished artists among both my classmates and teachers. I enjoy working with people who share my passion, and I value every opportunity to receive feedback on my work from them.

Additionally, the school invites external artists to give lectures every week, which allows me to learn about the personal experiences and creative processes of exceptional artists. When I want to invite a particular artist, the department chair also assists me in making that connection.

The curriculum at the college doesn’t always revolve around textual writing or artistic creation; oftentimes, it requires us to give presentations or collaborate with the community. Being quite introverted, these mandatory requirements have to some extent enhanced my social skills.

Instagram: xinyu_studio