10 Questions with Feixue Mei

Feixue Mei is an artist, illustrator, and designer from China and based in Missouri, US. Her creative practice and research have been recognized by Printed Matter's Art Book Fairs, Singapore Art Book Fair, American Illustration (AI-AP), International Design Awards (IDA), Graphis, Creative Quarterly, Indigo Design Awards, Art & Education, Creative Boom, Aesthetica, Popular Culture Association, Transformative Works and Cultures, and more. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including the U.S, the U.K, Europe and Asia. She holds an MFA in Design with a concentration in Visual Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, a BFA in Graphic Design from Colorado State University, and a BFA in Visual Communications from Central China Normal University. Now she is an Assistant Professor in Graphic Design at Northwest Missouri State University.

feixuemei.info | @feixuefeixue

ARTIST STATEMENT

Feixue Mei is fascinated by pop culture, social media, cultural adaptation, intimate relations, and identity formation. Her work explores publications, illustrations, sequential arts, videos, installations, and performances. With a strong desire to communicate, she believes in Maximalism - the philosophy of “more is more.” Life is complicated; we have many identities when we grow up. Those identities and labels interact, struggle and fight with others and finally tell who we are. The usage of contrasting colors, illustration of multiple subjects, and narration of a long story all resemble her belief and introduce a world to the audience where they can forget their stress and own new identity.

Endless Ballad, Digital Drawing, 11x8.5 inches, 2021 © Feixue Mei

Exploring the idiocy of crowds |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

A series of illustrations represent my reflection on people’s negative group behavior, both online and offline. An individual immersed for some length of time in a crowd soon finds oneself either in consequence of magnetic influence given out by the crowd or from some other cause of which we are ignorant. They are impulsive and irritable. They exaggerate the sentiments. They follow each other. They judge for no reason.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?

My name is Feixue Mei. I am an artist, illustrator, and designer from China and based in Missouri, US. I am fascinated by pop culture, social media, cultural adaptation, intimate relations, and identity formation. With a strong desire to communicate, I believe in Maximalism - the philosophy of "more is more." Life is complicated; we have many identities when we grow up. Those identities and labels interact, struggle and fight with others and finally tell who we are. The usage of contrasting colors, illustration of multiple subjects, and narration of a long story all resemble my belief and introduce a world to the audience where they can forget their stress and own a new identity. I hold an MFA in Design with a concentration in Visual Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. Now I am an Assistant Professor in Graphic Design at Northwest Missouri State University.

Vase, Digital Drawing, 11x8.5 inches, 2021 © Feixue Mei

How would you define yourself as an artist?

I am an interdisciplinary artist. My work explores publications, illustrations, sequential arts, videos, installations, and performances. I love to use various forms and materials to discuss internet culture, online platforms, and fan space. I am interested in how cultural adaptation, language manipulation, and identity formation are expressed in these spaces and using my work to show my reflection on them.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your artistic routine when working?

Usually, I see a phenomenon and think of the reasons behind it. Then, thinking of various elements connected to the phenomenon to represent my ideas, I like to use symbolic imagery and metaphors. After I get the idea, I usually find some reference images online or from my own photography. Then, I sketch in my sketchbook, transfer the sketch to an iPad or Tablet, and draw digitally.

Idolization and fan gaze, Digital Drawing, 11x8.5 inches, 2021 © Feixue Mei

Mass production and label, Digital Drawing, 11x8.5 inches, 2021 © Feixue Mei

How much planning goes into each artwork?

Sometimes I plan ahead, and sometimes I work from some random thoughts and images. If I have a clear idea, I would find some references first and work from there. If I don't have a clear idea, I usually just start to draw some random stuff, put them together, look at them, and use them to make a collage. Usually, after this process, I will have a better idea of what I want to do and go from there.

What do you see as the strengths of your project, visually or conceptually?

I think both. I always want to include some metaphors and iconic imagery in my work because I think they can make my work look deeper and more meaningful. I would like people to see my work, spend some time with them and reflect on them; I hope audiences can get something from my work. Symbolic imagery helps me to express my ideas in an indirect way. This is a great approach to make people spend more time with my work and think about the true meaning behind them. They are not just "look nice". They are also meaningful and sometimes contain dark humor. Visually, I like to use vibrant colors and intricate lines in my work. These colors are not natural. They are distorted and exaggerated, which reflect the idea of the surreal and far from reality. Complicated line works interact and fight with each other to show the struggle.

How do you differentiate yours from the rest? In other words, what do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

I have long been interested in pop culture, animation and comics. I enjoy making fan art for my favorite animations and comics. I think my life is a loop of consuming pop cultural products, producing fan works related to them (usually illustration and comics), and doing research about interesting cultural phenomena in this context. The uniqueness of my work is that I try to talk about academic research topics in a light and humorous way.

Tower Top, Digital Drawing, 11x8.5 inches, 2021 © Feixue Mei

Where did you get your imagery from? What sources did you use?

Most of the images are from the Internet, and I also use some of my own photography as a source.

Do you find that the shift to digital exhibitions and art fairs has helped you promote your work?

Yes, there are more opportunities available. The Internet is a very good space for people worldwide to see artists' works. People don't have to actually be in a gallery to see the works. With one click, it is easier for people from anywhere to see an online exhibition.

What do you think about the art community and market?

Currently, many galleries shift to a combination of online and physical exhibitions. Personally, I think this is a good trend. It would provide more chances to various artists. Some people can choose to show their works physically, and others can take advantage of online opportunities. Galleries can reduce the budget and have more artists to show their works to the public. More people on the Internet would have access to see the works.

Finally, any projects you are looking forward to for this year?

Now I am interested in idol culture in East Asia. In the context of globalization, cultural manipulation, and language adaptation, how does consumerism present in talent shows. There are a lot of idol production shows in East Asia now. My next idea may be based on my thoughts related to these shows. How do the Internet, fan-space, and shared online platforms shape cultural identity and idols' public personas?