10 Questions with Peiting Huang

Peggy Peiting Huang is a multidisciplinary artist pushing the boundaries of creative expression. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1995, Huang embarked on a transformative journey that would lead her to the bustling artistic landscape of London. In 2017, she undertook the study of illustration at the prestigious Camberwell College of Arts, setting the stage for the evolution of her artistic prowess. Peggy's artistic trajectory took an unexpected turn as she delved into the expansive world of contemporary art, discovering a profound passion that would become the driving force behind her innovative creations. Her portfolio is a testament to her keen sensibilities, infused with themes that dance on the edge of humor and the zeitgeist of meme culture, showcasing her ability to seamlessly merge the playful and the profound.

At the core of Peggy's artistic narrative lies a compelling exploration of personal identity intricately interwoven with the dichotomies of traditional and contemporary Taiwanese culture. Through a sophisticated lens, she navigates the complexities of her own story, offering viewers a glimpse into the nuances of her heritage and the ever-evolving cultural landscape that shapes her worldview.

An intriguing facet of Peggy's body of work is her homage to the iconic Hello Kitty character. This whimsical feline serves as a symbolic bridge between past and present, a nod to the kitschy childhood paraphernalia that left an indelible mark on her formative years. Through meticulous craftsmanship, Peggy Peiting Huang transforms the iconic into the contemplative, inviting audiences to reconsider the cultural significance embedded in seemingly simple symbols.

As Peggy continues to ascend within the contemporary art scene, her oeuvre stands as a captivating testament to the power of artistic exploration and cultural reflection. With a palette that blends the personal and the universal, Peggy Peiting Huang invites viewers to embark on a visual journey that transcends borders and resonates with the ever-evolving pulse of our globalized world.

peggypeitinghuang.cargo.site | @peggythecucumberhater

ARTIST STATEMENT

黃珮婷, also recognized as Peggy Peiting Huang, is a Taiwanese multidisciplinary artist who divides her time and artistic pursuits between Taipei and London. Huang's artistic vision is firmly rooted in the realms of kitsch, cursed, and sensuality. Notably, she incorporates Hello Kitty as a recurring element in her work. Within this context, she engages in a profound exploration of her identity as a female of East Asian heritage, navigating the complexities of the post-internet era and the influence of meme culture on her creative journey.

INTERVIEW

First of all, tell us about your background. When did you start getting involved with visual arts, and how?  

I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. Growing up, I always knew that when I grew up, I'd either work in the creative industry or become a zoo keeper. Those were the only things that really caught my interest. However, my lack of talent in math and science had my Zoo dream canceled, which led to the creative industry being my one and only goal. Yet, As asian as it could be, I was sent to a hardcore academic school where Art, Music, and PE lessons could easily be swapped for Math or English lessons. It was a private school, so they went to extremes. I was so occupied with academic-oriented subjects that there was zero energy left to have creative practice on the side except for the casual doodles on textbooks. 
Only when I get into uni, I had more time to build up a portfolio to apply for art school in London. I applied and got accepted to UAL in the very last year of my BA degree in Taiwan. And I suppose that is where I started — an illustration degree at Camberwell College of Arts. 

You started out with illustration. What prompted you to shift from illustration to your current practice? And how does your background influence your current work? 

London itself, with such a dynamic and active art scene, has something to do with this shift. It also happened because I ended up having loads of friends who study fine art. Topping up with the conceptual approach that my Illustration tutors teach at Camberwell, I gradually started building up more interest in contemporary art, and that now has become my practice. I also tried to do illustration commissions and realized I hate being told by clients that, so that's also why.
I think the Taiwanese are quite a chill breed. We don't take things too seriously, are quite funny, and have an unintentional tacky taste. The best example of this vibe is shown in Shang Chen's Taipei street photography. Being born and raised on such land certainly influenced my interest and my work a lot. 

How would you define yourself as an artist today, and what is your personal aim?

I guess I'd say I'm just an artist, making work that reflects those who grew up right when the Internet became so easy to dive into. As for my aim, to answer the question officially, it'll be to discuss and explore this post-internet identity in depth and hope to decolonize the contemporary art scene. But when it comes down to it, I just wanna make stuff that brings me joy, and if it happens to align with the big goals, good. If not, no biggie.

As a multidisciplinary artist, what is your creative process like? Where do you draw inspiration from, and how do you translate it into your work?

It depends on the project. If I'm doing sculptures, videos, or installation pieces, I will sketch things out on paper. When it's painting, I do collages in Photoshop with photos I archived. Normally, these are photos I discover from Instagram or Pinterest mixed up with photos I took from daily life. I am particularly interested in meme images or images that are "memeable," as well as the tacky aesthetic of the 90s and 2000s. The somehow nostalgic, humorous, playful vibes are the core elements I include in my practice. Merging images that I collect online as well as in real life translates my vision of the world quite directly, I feel. I paint and make work that I see every day, and I am not gonna lie, I spend too much time on the Internet. 

In your work, you focus on themes such as identity, kitsch, and humor, often drawing upon your personal experience. What do you think is the role of art in addressing such themes? 

I think all the themes I focused on ended up under one big umbrella, which is the shared identity of the post-internet generation. The generation that grew up and lived with the Internet, where culture is no longer purely divided by physical land, space, or race. I find it fascinating. 

And, in your opinion, what role does the artist have in society?

For me, the artist plays a role that records and reflects the interest of current society in a visual form. It can be as big as social awareness or as small as a personal interest, but regardless, it mirrors the "taste" of this time we are living in. 

Speaking of your work, you have a distinctive style, even though you employ different mediums. How did you come up with your style, and how do you choose the mediums to use?

Awwwwww!!! Thank you so much for telling me that my style is distinctive and consistent!! I feel like I questioned my work a lot, so hearing this is making my day.
I'm actually not sure how I came up with my style. I feel like I just go with the flow and then continue making work, and then eventually, I found the sweet spot. In terms of mediums, it depends on the theme I want to explore, but I would say the main factor of my medium selection relies on my budget and monthly allowance. 

What is the most challenging part of your work?

At the moment, the most challenging part of my work will be working in the studio. Since it's a massive warehouse with an iron sheet roof, no windows, no heating, and concrete flooring, it's been freezing in there to the point that it's pretty much unbearable. But it's cheap for a studio space in London and also close to where I live, so I have no complaint. I just need to figure a way out to create heat. :) 

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

I don't really have any expectations or big theories I want the public to take away from my work. I just hope that they find my work approachable and easy to vibe with. 

And lastly, what are you working on right now, and what are your plans for the future?

At the moment, I'm trying to sprint out a new painting for this group show in mid-Jan and also forming a proposal for a potential show in New York. For the upcoming year, I'd like to focus my practice on painting, and I will hopefully get scouted by a gallery space in the near future. 

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.