Meet Lingxue (Luna) Hao | Visual Artist/Image Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lingxue (Luna) Hao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lingxue (Luna), why did you pursue a creative career?
As a visual artist/image maker, my answer may differ slightly from others. I feel like I never have a moment like: Oh, I want to be an artist or I always want to be an artist when I grew up. My situation is more like, as I was growing up, I gradually discovered that the field related to art is what I am best at. In this field, I have the greatest self-confidence and the greatest room for display.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Besides working as a visual designer/photographer in The Scholart Selection, I’m also focusing on the photographic art area. I finished up a whole photo series called Moon Phase: The Moments Between Wax and Wane during my MFA in SCAD, which is mainly an interpretation of depression through the art of photography. My photographs explore my own experiences with this invisible disease. They represent the torment and pain that I navigate with major depression. They also record my constant struggle with mental health. This body of work acts as a visual diary about a depressive patient that I created as a photographer. I am currently working on another series, which is an extension of the Moon Phase series, which focuses on how I try to balance the stress I face and the effects of depression in my busy life and work during the period of “post-depression.” In addition, I am slowly working on experimental photography. I mainly focus on lumen printing and Cyanotype, trying to create prints more directly and obtain objects that are more three-dimensional and objective. As I mentioned before, I consider myself very lucky. Whether at school or work, people are always around to help me. I think it’s more of a mixed bag of emotions about whether the process is difficult. In general, based on my own situation and personality, I have a lot of doubts about the direction I choose, the style of my work, and the meaning of my work during the creation process. Finding and establishing a visual language that works for me is not easy; finding the right audience and gaining recognition is also complicated. Overall, I am now slowly becoming more proud of the delicate emotions and natural soft effects conveyed in my works, and I hope to create more communication and interaction with the audience through my works.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think I would roughly divide the tour into three different parts: the art experience, the natural and human scenery, and the unique food experience. First I will take my friend to visit The Broad and the Getty Museum. In my mind, this is a good balance of contemporary and classical art, while overlooking the full view of Los Angeles at the Getty Museum, not to mention the most beautiful garden to rest and enjoy. Then, I think Santa Monica’s beaches, lively skateparks and unique street shops are also not to be missed. But at the same time, I also want to arrange a one-day road trip to Malibu, taking her completely in contact with the sun, sea, and sand. Regarding food, I think authentic Mexican Taco food trucks, Filipino-style barbecue and authentic Chinese food are all not to be missed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to mention three important people here. One is my dear mentor/ friend, whom I met while studying photography MFA at SCAD. Without her selfless and attentive support and care, academically and in life, I do not think I could have successfully obtained my MFA degree and completed my creative work during this period.
The second is a friend I met in New York in 2019. For an art student studying and living abroad alone, finding a job and having a real life in the first year after graduation is very difficult. With her support and help, I went through this difficult stage smoothly, successfully entered my current career life, and could continue my personal art creation after graduation.
The third is the director of the art space where I work now. I am grateful for her trust and willingness to give me the opportunity and space when I have little work experience and let me grow and work hard in my dream job field.

Website: https://www.lunahao.com/

Instagram: @luna___hao

Image Credits
Lingxue(Luna) Hao