Meet Xuanlin Ye | Painter&Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Xuanlin Ye and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xuanlin, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.

One of my favorite books is On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by the Asian-American author Ocean Vuong. The book begins with an English letter written by Vuong to his illiterate mother. This idealized notion of conveying the ineffable and inexpressible touches me deeply. In the novel, the author describes the Asian American experience with such sensitivity that it resonates with me on so many levels. It moved me not because of my experience as an Asian in the United States, but because Vuong’s description of the state of being reminded me of the common humanity and tenderness of the capitalized Us.

I believe that great art should have resonance, a power that allows the artist to communicate the ineffable and allows the viewer/reader to be swept away by this overwhelming emotion that touches our common core through the medium, whether it is poetry or painting. This resonance of humanity with the reader is one of my painting’s goals; regardless of the viewer’s level of art historical context comprehension, I want to create an image that moves the viewer’s heart. Trinity of the Nowness, for example, is an oil painting composed of two figures with their backs to the viewer, a common plastic fence in front of them preventing the viewer from entering their space, and a purposefully washed background that creates an invisible third person who appears to be holding two figures in his/her arm. This painting is influenced by traditional Christian art; the triangular shape represents the holy trinity. Although the painting has a rich cultural context, what is most striking about it to the untrained eye is the humility and vulnerability of the figure. This painting functions as a portal and a mirror; it not only travels to the viewer’s inner states but also reflects the viewer’s most tender and vulnerable states.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I believe that my passion for art began in high school. As an international student who had just begun life in the United States, my English proficiency in high school was pretty poor. I once asked my art teacher the definition of the word “fascinate,” and she explained it to me. I then told her that I believe I am fascinated by art. Yes, I was completely immersed in art; I read every art-related book I could get my hands on and draw and painted all day until I was satisfied with my work. This passion for art continues to drive me to this day; the creative process gives me a sense of accomplishment, despite the studio’s ups and downs. My patience and perseverance are frequently rewarded with positive outcomes, despite the fact that my work is not always what I have predicted.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week-long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Ah! The lakefront of Chicago is my favorite spot in the city. I enjoy running with my dog on the Chicago lakefront trails. I have a large dog, so he requires a lot of exercises. I would run with him when the weather was nice and cool, and one summer, we even ran a half marathon!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would like to devote this shout-out to all of my mentors and friends. I am grateful to mentors such as Stephen Ellis and Joan Waltemath for their instruction and guidance, as well as for their confidence in me and for providing me with the Hoffberger fund. I would also like to acknowledge professors Wu Hung and Ling Wei-Cheng, whose expansive and in-depth knowledge provided me with new perspectives on art creation and art history.

I’d also like to thank many of my artist friends, such as the painter Jerrel Gibbs, whose kindness and confidence in my artistic ability made me a better artist. I’m grateful for all his kind and courageous words, which encouraged me to put myself out there and be featured in numerous publications, including New American Painting magazine and studio magazine. I’d like to thank my photographer pal Xu Guanyu for assisting me with my printing and helping me find a new studio space at Mana Contemporary Chicago.

Website: https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/xuanlin-ye

Instagram: yexuanlin