10 Questions with Shihui Li

Shihui Li is an emerging artist and designer originally from Changsha, Hunan, China. After graduating high school, she moved to London, where she established her artistic practice and furthered her education. Shihui is pursuing an MA in Expanded Practice at Goldsmiths, University of London. She holds a BA in Interaction Design Arts from UAL London College of Communication, where she graduated with First Class Honours. Her academic journey has been distinguished by numerous accolades, including her graduation design being featured on Creative Boom and selected for the UAL prospectus for 2024.

Her professional experience extends beyond traditional gallery settings. Shihui has worked as a freelance designer. As the founder of Solid Triangle Studio, she has demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit, serving as a piercing and tattoo artist while developing the studio's visual identity and engaging a wide audience.

www.lishihuiellen.com | @e2len_

ARTIST STATEMENT

Shihui Li's artistic practice is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to explore unconventional materials and media. She is fascinated by the hidden narratives within objects and the stories they reveal in new contexts. This curiosity leads her to experiment with food designs, sound art, subcultures, and street art.

Shihui's work often tackles pressing social issues. In her piece "Sweet Price," she investigates the impact of human activity on animal habitats, highlighting the threat of extinction faced by many species, particularly those eaten to extinction by humans. These works are designed to provoke thought, discussion, and action regarding animal extinction and environmental conservation. Shihui ingeniously used sugar painting, an endangered form of Chinese folk art, to create maltose sweets in the shape of these extinct creatures, a double expression of the concept of extinction.

Tattooing also is a significant part of Shihui's practice. She views it as a form of interaction, where both artist and client collaborate on the design. In her work "Under the Skin, she addressed China's prejudice against tattoos through interviews and historical research, aiming to shift societal perceptions by exploring new media technologies. Shihui envisions tattoos that could function as health trackers or implants, merging art with practical applications.

Shihui aims to push the boundaries of conventional art forms, creating thought-provoking and accessible works. Her goal is to continue experimenting with new materials and techniques, inspiring others to see the world through a different lens.

Sweet Price, Maltose, 10x15 cm, 2023 © Shihui Li
The work Sweet Price is about human consumption and the extinction of animals. Human activity is seriously affecting the animal habitat, causing hundreds of wild animals to be endangered. This is a piece of work that provokes thought, discussion, or action about animal extinction, especially animals that have been eaten to extinction by humans. It can be a live interaction performance about sugar painting. By the time the audience eats it, it has melted in their mouths, like an extinct animal that cannot be restored. Also, to spotlight the issue of biodiversity loss, the artist crafted caramel figures of extinct animals using traditional Chinese sugar painting, giving a double expression of extinction.

INTERVIEW

First of all, let's talk about your background and studies. What motivated you to move from Changsha, China, to London to pursue your artistic and educational goals?

I've always been drawn to stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself. Throughout my upbringing, I received a diverse arts education—from childhood drawings to rigorous training in sketching, watercolors, and oils. However, during China's rigorous college entrance exam phase, the art education for exam-oriented students often felt mechanistic, focusing more on technique than on fostering creativity and observational skills. I sought a different approach—one that would nurture my ability to perceive and feel deeply through art. London, with its rich history, vibrant art scene, and diverse community of artists, beckoned as the ideal place to broaden my horizons. Here, I believed I could escape the confines of exam-driven art education and explore a more immersive and enriching artistic environment. The dynamic atmosphere of the city has provided me with endless inspiration and abundant opportunities to evolve both personally and professionally.

And how has your experience at Goldsmiths, University of London, influenced your work and artistic practice?

Goldsmiths has been an incredible space for learning and development. The institution has not only provided me with critical skills in arts and design but also enhanced my abilities in communication, teamwork, and time management. The supportive and stimulating environment at Goldsmiths has boosted my confidence and given me a greater sense of control over my artistic practice.

Sweet Price, Maltose, 10x15 cm, 2023 © Shihui Li

Sweet Price (process), Maltose, 10x15 cm, 2023 © Shihui Li

You work with different mediums. What drew you to experiment with food designs, sound art, subcultures, and street art?

I believe in the intrinsic connection between art, design, and life itself. Life, to me, is an ongoing art form, and I relish exploring this concept through diverse pursuits. My interest in street art and subcultures blossomed during a gap year after high school, sparked by a transformative experience at a music festival where I discovered graffiti art. Combining my foundational skills in hand painting with newfound proficiency in spray paint techniques, I began to explore new artistic avenues. Recently, I've focused on food design and sound design, recognizing them as powerful mediums that embody cultural fusion and resonate with both personal narratives and broader societal themes. I approach these subjects from an immersive perspective, integrating sensory experiences—smell, taste, and sound—to enrich visual expressions. Engaging multiple senses allows me to create holistic and impactful artistic statements. My deep appreciation for life's intricacies fuels my creative process. I constantly question the underlying meaning and motivations behind my work, using these reflections as catalysts for new projects and innovative artistic expressions. This ongoing exploration serves not only as a means of personal expression but also as a way to provoke thought and dialogue on profound existential and societal questions.

And how do you integrate your roles as a piercing and tattoo artist with your broader artistic practice?

I constantly seek new forms of expression and interaction across different aspects of my work. For me, piercing and tattooing are not just jobs; they are interactive designs that create unique connections between me and my clients. These interactions provide fresh perspectives and insights that I incorporate into my broader artistic practice. In my piece "Under the Skin," I addressed China's prejudice against tattoos through interviews and historical research, aiming to shift societal perceptions by exploring new media technologies. Piercing and tattooing are simply different tools, but they, too, can be art. I continuously engage with my clients, gathering feedback just as I would when completing an art piece, and I truly enjoy this process.

What inspired you to explore unconventional materials and media in your artwork?

I am continually inspired to explore unconventional materials and media in my artwork, driven by a perpetual curiosity for diverse experiences. I find that sometimes unexpected outcomes can be incredibly stimulating and creatively rewarding. This exploration allows me to push boundaries and discover new dimensions in my artistic expression, constantly challenging and expanding my creative horizons.

Can you explain the concept behind your piece "Sweet Price" and how it addresses animal extinction? How did you come up with the idea of using sugar painting in your work?

"Sweet Price" addresses the critical issue of animal extinction, specifically focusing on animals that have been eaten to extinction by humans. I chose sugar painting, a traditional Chinese folk art form, to create a parallel between the extinction of animals and the loss of cultural heritage. Nowadays, sugar paintings are mostly seen at Chinese festival fairs, and it is primarily older people who carry on this cultural tradition. The combination of taste and visual experience creates a unique and engaging medium. While the audience focuses on the sugar painting, sharing it, or eating it, I play a video that highlights extinct animals. The caramel melts in your mouth, just like these animals, irreversibly disappearing and impossible to piece back together. This juxtaposition of a rare intangible cultural heritage with images of extinct animals offers a double expression of extinction and obsolescence, prompting the audience to reflect on the fragility of bothnatural and cultural treasures.

How do you incorporate social issues into your work, and why do you think it's important to address these topics through art?

I incorporate social issues into my work by drawing on personal experiences and perspectives. For example, "Under the Skin" explores the discrimination I've encountered due to my tattoos and the online bullying that ensued. Through this piece, I challenge these prejudices in a personal and artistic manner. I believe tattoos are merely different textures on the skin and should not be subject to over-interpretation or discrimination. Art, for me, serves as a powerful vehicle to provoke thought, inspire dialogue, and offer new perspectives on societal issues. It transcends definitive answers, allowing each viewer to interpret and connect with the message on a deeper, more spiritual level.

Under the skin, Aubergine/Ink, 14x8 cm, 2023 © Shihui Li
Discrimination against tattoos is a common phenomenon in China. As a tattoo artist, the artist uses fruit as a carrier to express that tattoos are just patterns attached to the skin.

What message do you hope to convey through your experimental and thought-provoking artworks?

Through my experimental artworks, I aim to convey messages about the interconnectedness of life, the importance of preserving our environment and cultural heritage, and the need for greater empathy and understanding in society. I hope my work challenges viewers to see the world from different perspectives and inspires them to take action on the issues that matter.

You are also the founder of Solid Triangle Studio. What was your vision when you founded the studio, and how has it evolved since then?

Initially, Solid Triangle Studio consisted of three members who all shared a deep passion for life and art. We chose a triangle as the main element of our logo, symbolizing the stability and strength of our friendship. Our vision for the small workshop was to create a "dream factory" where we could pursue our artistic passions and stay true to our original intentions, focusing deeply on the work itself.

And lastly, what are your plans for the future? Do you have any specific goals you are working toward?

In the future, I aim to continue pushing the boundaries of my artistic practice and exploring new mediums and technologies. For example, I am currently researching sound art and planning to incorporate new instruments into my work. I believe that all things are interconnected, and art goes beyond just holding a paintbrush. My ultimate goal is to experiment with more materials, collaborate with professionals from different fields, and delve deeper into my research to create impactful art that inspires positive change in society.

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.

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