10 Questions with Bessy Huang
Bessy Huang is a visionary creator who breathes life into the realms of mass media. Her artistic voice dances on the edge of the absurd, the fantastical, and the profoundly dramatic. Fascinated by the surreal nuances of everyday life, she weaves compelling narratives through experimental films and intricately crafted set designs.
Collaborating intimately with rising fine art photographers, boundary-pushing fashion designers, and independent film studios, her work pulses with personal resonance, drawing from her dreams and psychological introspections. Bessy’s lens transforms the world into a vivid tapestry of Bazaar-like wonder, where vibrancy infuses every detail.
Her creations as a creative director, stylist, and set designer have graced the pages of Dazed Magazine, Schön Magazine, WÜL Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar UK, Elle UK, Contributor Magazine, and Esquire, leaving an indelible mark on the cutting edge of contemporary media.
Bessy Huang - Portrait
INTERVIEW
Let's start with your background. Who are you, and how did you develop into the artist you are today?
I'm Bessy Huang, a stylist, Set designer, Creative director and FIlm director. I was growing up in Shanghai, China. I Started learning fashion and art 18 years ago, in university of arts london.
What first drew you to art-making? Did you see it as a natural way to express your voice?
My journey into the art industry began at the age of 15 when I found joy in dressing up my friends, assigning each outfit its own unique character. Their encouragement gave me confidence and helped me realize that creativity, in any form, is a powerful means of artistic expression.
It wasn't until my sophomore year, when I directed my first short film, that I truly saw myself as an artist. That experience opened my eyes to a world beyond fashion styling—I discovered a deep passion for set design. What started as an interest in curating outfits evolved into a love for crafting visual narratives, expanding my creative expression in ways I had never imagined.
Repetition, Schon Magazine, role as Stylist, 2022 © Bessy Huang
Your work exists at the intersection of mass media, fashion, and fine art. How did you become interested in these different realms, and how do they influence each other in your creative process?
These various media serve as markers of my self-exploration and reflections on society, shaped by my own experiences.
I began my career in the fashion industry, spending three years immersed in its world before gradually shifting my creative focus toward fine art.
Leaving school felt like stepping out of a grand, intricate fortress. I encountered many people who had little connection to art—individuals whose lives were filled with suppressed emotions, yet lacked healthy outlets for expression. This realization made me question my own work. At the time, I was creating fashion photography that catered primarily to the elite, and I began to wonder if that was truly the impact I wanted to have.
Through my art, I strive to showcase the diversity of life and challenge the rigid standards of beauty and happiness. A fulfilling life is not defined by material wealth or societal expectations—it is something deeply personal, far beyond the constraints of conventional norms.
You explore the absurd, the fantastical, and the profoundly dramatic. What drives you to push the boundaries of reality in your work?
I have been a highly sensitive person since childhood—a term used in psychology to describe individuals who can keenly perceive subtle shifts in their environment and emotions. For years, I battled against what I considered a flaw in myself. It wasn't until I reached my twenties that I ceased to criticize this innate trait and instead embraced it as a unique gift.
My perspective on people, objects, and the world is profoundly different from that of most. Often, I find solace in the worlds I create—imagining people and experiences that invigorate my spirit and give a voice to the marginalized. This is why, in my latest series, I collaborated with photographers Ofek & Rona and worked with models who have physical differences.
I believe that society should be structured not merely to serve the majority but to be diverse and inclusive.
To me, the world I conjure in my work is real. Although many might dismiss it as absurd, it is a genuine reflection of how I experience life.
Gender of mobility, Role as Creative director, 2024 © Bessy Huang
YuhuaStone, Schon Magazine, role as Set designer, 2024 © Bessy Huang
Your work transforms everyday life into something surreal. How do you find inspiration in the ordinary, and what is your process for translating it into your artistic vision?
I believe that actors and performance aren't reserved solely for those who have formally studied acting. In reality, dramaunfolds continuously in our daily conversations, and my work explores what is truly real—or at least, what appears real to me.
People often struggle to express their genuine thoughts, leading to conversations that are either performative or overly polite. Yet, this too is a form of drama. In many cases, one's body language reveals more honesty than words ever could. I am constantly observing people's behaviors, wherever I am, and I blend this perspective with my years of experience in the fashion industry and styling. This fusion inspires me to create small dramatic narratives based on the people I encounter, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Collaboration is a key part of your practice, working with fine art photographers, fashion designers, and film studios. How do these partnerships shape your artistic vision?
Collaboration is at the heart of my practice, whether working on a magazine shoot, an art film, or a multidisciplinary project. As a creative director or stylist, my role extends beyond aesthetics—I act as a bridge between different artistic visions, requiring strong communication, empathy, and a deep understanding of team dynamics.
Every artist brings a unique perspective, shaped by their own experiences and talents. Working with photographers, cinematographers, and designers is an ongoing exchange of ideas, where we challenge and inspire each other. These collaborations push me to see the world through different lenses, allowing us to weave together diverse viewpoints into a unified visual narrative. The goal is not just to merge perspectives but to create something that feels authentic, resonant, and aligned with the core theme of the work. It is in this shared creative process that my artistic vision continues to evolve.
Proof the Existence, Dazed magazine, Role as creative director, 2024 © Bessy Huang
Proof the Existence, Dazed magazine, Role as creative director, 2024 © Bessy Huang
Dreams and psychological introspection play a significant role in your work. Can you share more about your sources of inspiration and how they inform your creative process?
Fantasy and cult cinema have long been a source of fascination for me. At the age of eight, Pan's Labyrinth ignited an obsession with the surreal and the symbolic—worlds where reality dissolves into myth. Directors like Fellini and Almodóvar masterfully weave personal narratives with subconscious exploration, using color and composition as emotional language. Their ability to transform personal memory into a universal experience deeply informs my ownartistic practice.
Psychology, too, is intrinsic to my work. Five years of psychodynamic therapy began as a way to navigate my owndarkness, but over time, it became something more—a lens through which I observe human behavior, a method of understanding the narratives we construct about ourselves. In learning the rhythms and cadences of therapeutic dialogue, I discovered new ways to deconstruct identity, both my own and those of the characters I create.
Dreams, to me, are portals—bridges between the self and the unknown, between fear and revelation. They are a language of symbols, a dialogue with the subconscious. In both life and art, I turn to dreams not just for inspiration, but as a means of unraveling contradictions, searching for truths that exist beyond the surface.
Set design is essential to your storytelling. What are the most important elements in crafting a world that feelsimmersive and emotionally engaging?
Color is the foundation of my creative process—the first element I consider before anything else. My sensitivity to light and color has always set me apart, allowing me to perceive and manipulate hues in a way that transcends the ordinary. Color is a powerful, immediate language; it has the ability to evoke emotion, shape perception, and draw the viewer into a specific psychological state. Through its interplay with light and form, I use color not just as an aesthetic choice, but as a tool to construct immersive, emotive experiences.
People Wonderland & Attention, director, 2021 © Bessy Huang
Your creations have appeared in major fashion and culture magazines. How do you navigate the balance between personal artistic expression and the commercial aspects of the industry?
The themes I explore in my work are deeply personal, even within commercial projects. I believe that true creativity stems from passion, and I strive to infuse every project with authenticity and meaning. In commercial collaborations, I remain attuned to the client's vision and objectives, but I see this as a dialogue—an exchange where I can bring my ownartistic language and perspective into the conversation. It is in this balance between intention and interpretation that mywork takes shape, ensuring that even within structured constraints, the final creation retains a distinct artistic identity.
Finally, what upcoming projects or creative directions are you most excited to explore next?
I am currently preparing for my second autobiographical short film—a deeply personal exploration that has undergone meticulous refinement. Now, as I navigate the process of assembling a team and securing funding, I am also drawn to the transformative power of art and drama therapy.
Art, to me, is never an isolated act. It exists within a larger social fabric, shaped by and shaping the collective human experience. True change is not born from solitude but from shared expression, from the energy of collaboration. I firmly believe that art is more than a form of creation—it is a vessel for connection, a bridge between individuals, and, ultimately, a powerful force for healing.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
