Xiong Yanni

What themes does your work involve?

My art works are reflections of my subconscious and personal emotions and feelings living in the present society.

Describe your creative process.

I record some social events or phenomena and my feelings in a certain period, and then form a picture in my mind，I learn all kinds of techniques, from classical to contemporary, in order to match the picture in my mind，Then I will find a sunny day to finish my work at once. I like the smooth feeling of finishing a piece of work. I feel like it's done if there's a balance. Chinese calligraphy pays attention to one stroke at a time, and each stroke will be considered for the next step. My painting process is similar to this way. When each stroke of calligraphy is finished, the whole work is finished. The same is true for painting.

What influences your work? What inspires you? Why do you make art?

In many ways, the art history of painting, various plays or books and everyday life have influenced my work. I am motivated by the desire for the future, the desire that art can make people's lives better, and the highest personal pursuit of art. Because I love art.

What are your goals and plans as an artist in 2023?

To create more art works of different styles based on series, I don't want to limit myself by too many things. I'm going to find a way to feel like that's the way I was born to draw，And then I'm going to sign a gallery.

How do recent advancements in technology affect your art practice? How may recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (image generator software) affect the definition of fine art?

Actually, it's OK. Personally, I don't think artificial intelligence has much impact on my creative style. I occasionally use procreate collage images, but I use collage images to recreate them. To be honest, I don't know whether the definition of art in the future will change, but I am still very optimistic about the prospect of art in the future. There was a lot of concern the last time photography was invented.

What is the role of the artist today?

Because I've loved it since I was a kid. And I think life without art is boring, only instruments，Art can make life better. In my opinion, in the contemporary society, the responsibility of artists is not only to make life better, but also to inject positive power into the society.

What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?

Sincere touching, full of power, full of sensibility, let me see the painting can roughly feel the character of the author, is one of my criteria for good art. I think it takes a lot of hard work to make anything successful. The experience of one person as well as the trajectory of his life and strong sensibility are the key factors in making a great piece of work.