Born in China in 1997, Nicola Jiang grew up in a diverse cultural and religious environment. Currently residing in both Shanghai and London, she explores emotions, time, conflict, and personal identity through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, video, and installations. Her aim is to construct a new visual universe, challenging the hierarchical structures of the art market.

 Influenced by art since childhood and fascinated by peculiar legends and myths, she has created a vast world for herself, breaking free from the constraints of the so-called "real world." Drawing inspiration from psychology, religion, the Bible, astrology, medieval myths, and mysticism, her works blend classical and contemporary elements, possessing a powerful visual impact and a sense of cognitive intrusion. Unusual legends and religious myths inspire her, integrating ancient art into her creations, forming surreal scenes that reflect her unique creative logic.

In her latest series, “Awakening—Self-aware Mist and Collective Immersion," she delves into the current chaotic state of affairs, the environment saturated with hatred, and the dynamics of societal interactions. Much like the biblical reference, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:26-27, NIV)

30.5*55.9cm

Mixed media，Digital drawing，Watercolour，Crayon

2023

The purest form of art is expressing the artist's inner thoughts, emotions, and fantasies. She believes an excellent artist should always be immersed in the act of creation, fully integrating themselves into this world. Over the past six months, she has been attempting to forget all the doctrines and techniques of painting, relying solely on intuition. As the Bible says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." Moving from one city to another, she senses the passage of time in each region, obsessively enamored with the texture of objects precipitated by time and layers of posters glued together. She has many wild and romantic ideas,tearing posters on the bustling streets of Paris at night, searching for vintage accessories at weekend antique markets—her work is imbued with randomness. Her eyes are her most powerful tools, capturing the bustling people on the streets and the elusive figures heading somewhere unknown, uncontrollable emotions surging into her thoughts. She seems to capture the cacophony in their minds and reassemble it in her brain, incorporating everything she sees, hears, and feels into her paintings.

20*80cm

Mixed media，Digital drawing，Watercolour，Crayon

2023

 1.Growing up in a multicultural and religious environment, how has it influenced your art? How are these influences manifested in your work?

Growing up in a multicultural and religious environment has opened up my perception of the world, offering a different perspective on life's trajectories. This is reflected in my work, where I often use torn and juxtaposed materials, combining digital and watercolor painting techniques. Multiple scans and iterations in my creative process blend diverse cultural elements, resulting in art that embodies a global perspective.

2.You use various mediums such as painting, sculpture, video, and installations. What considerations guide these choices, and what unique aspects do they bring to expressing your exploration of emotions, time,and conflict?

I value completeness in my artistic endeavors, and each medium contributes to a more comprehensive representation of the facets of a piece. I choose multiple mediums because each one possesses a unique expressive power, allowing a more holistic exploration of emotions, time, and personal identity. This freedom enables a more genuine expression of my inner thoughts.

3. You mentioned creating a new visual universe and challenging the art market's hierarchy. Could you elaborate on your artistic goals and vision?

Art should be the freest entity in the world, and the most direct emotional communication is what I seek. Pursuing academic excellence is not about confining ourselves or engaging in aesthetic and academic bullying; instead, it is about finding a way to interpret our thoughts and feelings. My goal is to awaken people's resonance in the depths of their souls by breaking the hierarchical structure of the art market. I hope to create a visual universe that is not just an observation but a transcendental journey, prompting profound contemplation of one's existence and the surrounding world.

It's not merely about overturning tradition but seeking deeper questions about existence, time, and emotions amid aesthetic enjoyment. In my vision, art is not just entertainment but a gateway to the inner self, guiding individuals to transcend the shackles of the physical and engage in a dialogue with the spiritual realm.

4.In this series, you deeply explore societal environments and interpersonal relationships. Could you share your views on the current state of society and how your art reflects these themes, especially considering recent political events?

This series reflects my profound concern for the current state of society, particularly in light of recent political events. I believe artists have a responsibility to pay attention to and respond to the upheavals and changes in society.

In this series, I aim to delve into the chaos of the societal environment and how individuals conscientiously immerse themselves in the fog of this turmoil. Recent political events provide a more realistic and urgent context for these themes; the societal divisions and the prevalence of hatred further emphasize the need for artistic expression to reflect on and address these issues.

Art, as a tool for expressing and conveying emotions, should pose questions and stimulate contemplation about the challenges society faces today. My vision is to guide the audience to reflect on their position in society through this series, fostering a keen self-awareness within the collective immersion. I hope viewers sense scrutiny of adversity and a call to awakening and collective responsibility in the artworks.

ExhibitionExperience：

“Thought the looking glass” The Mall, London, UK 2023

 “Shadows and Whispers” The Crypt Gallery, London, UK 2023

  “Future Stars exhibition” The Holy Art Gallery, London, UK 2023

IYAC Kyoto International Art Exchange Exhibition” Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto,Japen 2023

“Troubleling Posture” Kennington Courthouse，London，UK 2023

KCL CMCI Annual Winter Festival 2023 EmpowerHer，Somerset House Inigo Rooms，London，UK ，2023

“Art  Olympics” A Manifesto, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France ，2023

personal website：https://nicolajiang.cargo.site/

instagram：no.4400414