10 Questions with He Liu

He Liu, originally from China and currently working as a visual designer in Los Angeles, possesses a diverse skill set that includes graphic design, UI/UX, marketing, and illustration. This range of expertise makes her a valuable asset in enhancing a brand's visual identity. With substantial experience in typesetting, editing design, book design, UI/UX, and branding, she excels in providing effective design solutions across various industries. Her work seamlessly incorporates cultural elements, reflecting a distinct and unique artistic perspective.

Alongside her design proficiency, He Liu is a skilled illustrator, seamlessly integrating her talent into design projects. Actively participating in art exhibitions, she consistently showcases her creativity and artistic sensibility.

Beyond her professional pursuits, He Liu is an adventurous individual who finds joy in travel, cultural exploration, and forging new connections. Her life philosophy revolves around embracing challenges while balancing hard work and savoring life's experiences to the fullest.

With versatile skills and a creative mindset, He Liu is well-prepared to bring substantial value to any team, infusing fresh and culturally enriched perspectives into a brand's visual endeavors.

www.riverliu.design | @riverliu_

Mother | Project Description

Titled "Mother," this artwork by He Liu explores the intricate relationship between humans and nature. Drawing inspiration from profound observations of the natural world, He Liu aims to elucidate humanity's role and interactions within this ecosystem.

Anthropomorphizing nature and animalizing humans, the piece plays with symbolism to convey deeper meanings. The figures' eyes symbolize the Earth, while their hair mimics roots, and the flowers represent superficial exuberance. Yet, beneath this façade of beauty lies a profound sense of sorrow and numbness, aiming to highlight the dichotomy between nature's allure and potential devastation.

Choosing a palette knife over traditional brushes to depict the flowers serves a dual purpose. It emphasizes their three-dimensionality and opulence while metaphorically portraying humanity's callousness—a breathtaking scene driven by self-gratification. The blend of traditional two-dimensional painting with three-dimensional elements aims to evoke deeper emotional responses.

The birds within the painting symbolize desensitized human beings, occupying a bird's nest constructed with Mother's hair. Vibrant and striking, these birds lack emotional depth, creating a sharp contrast with Mother's warmth. Their presence serves as a reminder that human actions often disrupt the delicate ecological balance.

Deliberate imperfections in the canvas, upon closer examination, symbolize the textural diversity found in nature, resembling the texture of land or natural surfaces.

Through "Mother," He Liu aims to inspire reverence for nature and instill a sense of responsibility in viewers towards maintaining ecological harmony. This artwork represents contemplation and a call to action concerning humanity's relationship with nature. He Liu hopes it resonates with viewers, urging reflection on our interactions with nature and encouraging better protection of our shared home.

INTERVIEW

When and how did you start getting involved with art?

I started learning art from a young age, influenced by a deep passion for it and the encouragement of my family. This early exposure cultivated a lasting dedication to the world of art. As I progressed through school, my determination to pursue a career in art only grew stronger. I diligently pursued my studies and have remained committed to this path ever since.

Are you still following the same inspiration? And how did your work evolve over time?

I'm not entirely certain that I adhere to the same source of inspiration throughout my artistic journey. I believe that every artist possesses their own unique aesthetic and perspective on art. While I continually explore new art forms and concepts and delight in experiencing different emotions for inspiration, I often find myself gravitating toward similar artistic sentiments. In the past, my art predominantly centered around direct emotional expression. However, as I've learned and broadened my horizons, my artistic expression has evolved into a more diverse spectrum. The emotions I seek to convey are no longer exclusively personal; they now encompass deeper layers of contemplation and artistic reasoning.

Let's talk about your work. What inspired you to work with painting? 

My mother once shared with me that she encouraged my pursuit of painting because my kindergarten teacher had recognized my innate talent for drawing. She suggested that I should become more engaged and receive formal training. This marked the beginning of my journey into the world of painting. As I continued to explore this art form, I gradually discovered my passion and grew confident in my artistic abilities.

You have a striking style, with recognizable characteristics and colors. How did you choose the subject to paint?

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have a profound love for nature, and I often incorporate botanical elements into many of my artworks. The inspiration behind my creations originates from observing reports and records of pollution and natural disasters. My goal was to create a piece that could serve as a wake-up call to society. However, I didn't want to create a straightforward, angry environmental piece; instead, I aimed to craft a work that would first captivate the audience and then provoke deeper thoughts. My aspiration was to convey emotions through a beautiful, gentle, and uplifting painting style while emphasizing contrast in my work. Additionally, I use contrasting painting techniques to convey emotions, depicting a sense of helplessness and sadness through facial expressions. I hope that viewers, upon closer examination of my artworks, can better perceive the depth within them.

Where do you find inspiration for your work, and what is your creative process like? 

I find inspiration for my work by observing the world around me, reading news and literature, and engaging in conversations with others. Regarding my creative process, I typically start with an idea or a theme and then conduct research and gather relevant materials. For instance, in a recent project, I drew inspiration from news articles about nuclear wastewater discharge, which sparked the concept for my artwork. I was deeply moved by the despair and fear expressed by people affected by this issue, and I channeled those emotions into the eyes of the characters in my painting.
I have always perceived the Earth and nature as a beautiful maiden, with vegetation and animals being an integral part of her essence. This personification of nature is a recurring theme in my work. When nature is personified, her poignant emotions can be conveyed through her physical form. Therefore, I used a palette knife to abstractly accentuate the sense of anger within the vegetation. Additionally, I metaphorically likened the girl's hair to the root system, while the bird at the center symbolizes humanity—a possessive yet emotionally detached presence.
In terms of color, I chose a vibrant blue as the primary hue for the Earth, contrasting it with delicate shades of pink to evoke a sense of fragility.

How would you define your style? And how has it evolved over the years?

I have been exposed to traditional Chinese meticulous painting since I was young, so my work is composed of fine details and lines. I enjoy a relatively realistic but breakthrough artistic style. I believe that lines are a powerful way to convey emotions, and delicate lines combined with areas of color can create a sense of aesthetic romance. I prefer bright but not overly vibrant colors, especially contrasting and complementary colors. Over the years, I have been exploring the relationships between different colors in my search for artistic expression.
In addition to my focus on fine details and lines, my style seamlessly weaves in elements of storytelling and symbolism. I aim to convey narratives and emotions through my artwork, using the composition, colors, and subject matter to create a visual language that resonates with viewers. Drawing inspiration from nature, human experiences, and cultural themes, I infuse these elements into my pieces.
Turning to the evolution of my style, it's been a dynamic journey marked by experimentation and exploration. Over the years, I've been shaped by a diverse array of artists, art movements, and cultural encounters. This has prompted me to embrace new techniques, expand my artistic vocabulary, and challenge traditional boundaries. The integration of modern technology and digital tools has also played a crucial role in enhancing and refining my artistic expression.
Furthermore, my style has taken on a more personal and introspective dimension, reflecting my own experiences and perspectives. Deepening my understanding of the emotional impact that art can wield, this insight informs my choice of subjects, color palettes, and the overall mood of my artwork.
In the context of my artistic evolution, my style is an ongoing reflection of my growth as an artist. I am continually seeking fresh inspirations, experimenting with diverse techniques, and pushing the limits of my creativity. I firmly believe that artistic development is a lifelong journey, and I eagerly anticipate the exciting paths it will lead me down in the future.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

In "Mother," the artwork aims to inspire a deep appreciation for nature and cultivate a sense of responsibility in the audience towards preserving ecological balance. By evoking a sense of responsibility and urging reflection on our relationship with nature, "Mother" prompts viewers to contemplate the impact of human actions on the environment. The powerful imagery and symbolism in the artwork present nature as a nurturing and essential force, emphasizing the need for better protection and preservation of the natural world. This contemplative reminder serves as a call to action, encouraging viewers to consider their own interactions with nature and motivating them to take steps towards safeguarding our shared home. Ultimately, "Mother" hopes to resonate with viewers, inspiring them to take action towards environmental conservation and adopt sustainable practices in order to achieve ecological harmony.

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects? 

I am currently in the process of creating a series of artworks centered around the Chinese zodiac signs. These signs are not only linked to astronomy but also incorporate elements like solar terms, yin and yang, and the eight trigrams, carrying profound cultural and mythological significance. My vision is to exhibit these artworks and transform them into commercially meaningful products, with a focus on the international market.

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

Currently, I am in the creative phase, and I plan to exhibit my work once it is completed.

Finally, share something you would like the world to know about you. 

I would like to share my life motto: "Life is short, but live it with effort." I consider myself fortunate to have found something I love and turned it into my career. I hope that everyone can discover their passions and make the most of them. However, if you haven't found your passion yet, I encourage you to enjoy life to the fullest and avoid any regrets.

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.