Nov_Isa Yixin Yang | AAARMAGAZINE

Between Memory and Metaphor: Yixin Yang on Identity, Connection, and Cultural Heritage

Interview By Sooa Lim

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist?

I am a New York-based emerging artist. Specializing in installation, sculpture, and public art, I use multiple media to delve into the complexity of personal identity, connection, and belonging. My work reflects a journey of reconciling familial bonds with newly formed relationships in unfamiliar environments. I explore the intersections of memory, cultural heritage, and emotional attachment through multimedia installations such as My New House. I incorporate materials like thread, fabric, and sound to create immersive experiences that blur the boundaries between reality and metaphor, often portraying the fragility and strength of human connections. Inspired by the move to New York in 2023, I seek to establish a sense of belonging by weaving personal and collective histories into tangible forms.

I have exhibited in multiple group shows, including Godzillas at LatchKey Gallery in New York(2024), Journals of Young Artists at ENJOY-ART MUSEUM in Beijing, China (2023) and TO DALI at Keshiki Gallery in Dali, China (2023). I received my BFA in Visual Communications and Design from Beijing Technology and Business University in 2020. I am currently an MFA Fine Arts candidate at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

2. What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your art?

My work often encompasses self-exploration and profound reflection, aiming to investigate the complexities of personal identity, connection, and belonging. In my multimedia installation "My New House," I carry the original ties of my family while seeking and establishing new connections in an unfamiliar environment. Through these connections, I explore the interplay between memory, cultural heritage, and emotional attachment in my art. These elements collectively construct my identity and help me search for a sense of belonging in a new city. My work is not merely a visual presentation; it also creates an immersive experience through the use of materials such as thread and fabric, blurring the boundaries between reality and metaphor. This approach allows the audience to feel the fragility and strength of emotions as they engage with the artwork, leading to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

In this artistic creation, I hope the audience can rethink the concepts of "connection" and "belonging," finding their place in a rapidly changing world. My art aims to encourage people to reassess their relationships with themselves, others, and the world, and to feel the profound power and resonance between individuals.

3.How do you approach a new artwork, from concept to completion?

I tend to adopt a conceptual approach to creation, usually starting from an idea before moving on to actual artistic production. At the same time, my creative process is profoundly influenced by my surroundings. In my work "My New House," witnessing the kind connections between people deeply moved me and sparked a desire to capture that feeling. These observations made me realize the importance of interpersonal relationships and prompted me to explore all my connections with the surrounding world. This gradual and in-depth narrative process allows me to continuously reflect and grow throughout my creative journey.

During the specific stages of creation, I first identify the content I urgently want to express, exploring my inner traits and focal points. Throughout the creative process, I not only focus on technical realization but also prioritize emotional transmission and audience experience. I hope to establish a resonance with the audience through my work, allowing them to feel the emotions and stories I convey while appreciating the artwork. This combination of personal experience with universal emotions gives my creations deeper meaning and impact.

4. What inspires your artwork, and how does your environment influence your creative process?

My artwork "My New House" explores my personal journey and experiences. In August 2023, I first arrived in New York, where everything felt unfamiliar, and I struggled to find a sense of belonging. The new apartment made me feel isolated, prompting me to reflect: when a house no longer represents my belonging, what does true belonging mean? Having moved frequently throughout my life, I realized I could not define belonging through a fixed location. In this context, I actively sought connections with the world around me, yearning to understand my place within it. I decided to gather all my connections, forming a deeper sense of belonging and creating a "home" that I could carry with me.

In my creative process, I typically start with an idea I wish to express, while my environment influences my themes. This exploration of self made me aware of the relationship between social issues and personal experiences, enriching my understanding of art.

My inspiration often comes from subtle observations and emotional experiences in daily life. I strive to express the emotions hidden within these experiences and my thoughts on relationships and belonging. I believe the environment affects my artistic creation, allowing me to continuously reflect and grow throughout my creative journey.

5. What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how have you overcome them?

I see myself as an explorer of art, finding my artistic path through repeated challenges. For me, the first and most profound challenge has been "expression." I used to fear translating my personal emotions into art and presenting them publicly.

Due to the influence of traditional family values and social environments, topics such as family, self, and personal emotions are rarely discussed in my family settings or public spaces. In this context, attempting to express emotions in my work left me feeling deeply unsettled. This discomfort led me to initially conceal the true essence of my work behind vague descriptions, which slowed my creative process.

Throughout my journey of self-discovery, I endured a long period of adjustment and challenge. After countless collisions and dialogues with myself, I began to embrace my inner self. When I finally faced myself openly, my work became more authentic and powerful. Breaking out of my comfort zone allowed me to delve deeper into my artistic creation, enhancing my strength as an artist. This inner transformation not only enriched my artistic expression but also propelled me forward on my artistic journey.

6. Does your identity as an Asian inform your art, or do you think it's irrelevant?

As an artist, my identity as an Asian profoundly impacts my artistic creation. My cultural background, family traditions, and social environment shape my thinking and expression, all of which are reflected in my work.

In my artistic practice, I often explore the relationships between the individual, culture, family, and emotions. This exploration serves as both a reflection of my personal experiences and a response to the cultural context around me. The Asian emphasis on restrained emotional expression and the importance of family values encourages me to focus on self-dialogue and inner exploration in my creative process.

I aim to blend these personal and cultural elements in my work, allowing viewers to feel how my background influences my artistic perspective. Therefore, I believe my identity is not irrelevant; rather, it shapes my artistic language and themes. Through this, I can share my story with the audience and find resonance in a broader cultural dialogue, connecting with others who may share similar experiences or perspectives.

7. Can you describe your daily routine as an artist? What practices or habits are essential to your creative process?

As an artist, I have certain habits in my daily life that are essential to my creative process. I really enjoy writing, and recording my thoughts and observations at any time is a part of my routine. Through dialogue with myself, I can deeply explore my inner emotions and experiences. This process of self-reflection allows me to better understand my state of being and lays the foundation for my artistic creation. I love to observe the subtleties of life, noting the small moments and emotions that move me, which become significant sources of inspiration for my work.

Since my work is closely tied to personal experiences, understanding myself and seeking genuine emotions are particularly important to me. When I need to create, I review my written content, which not only helps me analyze my inner thoughts but also provides direction for my upcoming work. This habit of recording and reflection deepens my creative process, allowing me to convey my authentic feelings about life and emotions.

8. What upcoming artworks, projects, or exhibitions are you currently working on?

I am happy to share my upcoming work with everyone. The next piece is a sculptural installation that aims to explore the possibility of rebuilding a family after leaving the original one. This installation reflects not only the tension and fragility involved in creating new family structures but also provides an in-depth exploration of the emotional states shaped by my past experiences. In the creative process, I found a very important element: light blue. It not only represents the past but also reflects the contradictions of emotion, as it is rooted in my earliest childhood memories. This color has influenced my aesthetic preferences since then.

I look forward to completing this piece and hope it will provoke thought among the audience. Thank you all for your attention, and I look forward to sharing more of my artistic explorations with you.

Chief Editor Paris Koh