Meet Zhaochen Wu | Concept Artist & Illustrator

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

Hi Zhaochen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As an award-winning concept artist and illustrator, I found inspiration in films like The Lord of the Rings and video games such as Legend of Zelda. These captivating works motivated me, leading me to create imaginative worlds with my own hands when I was young. I started making drawings about fantastic worlds and showing them to my friends and family. Since then, I had a dream to be an artist who can work on one of those entertainment titles.

Upon entering the entertainment industry, I delved deeper into the meaning of concept art while working on projects like “I Am Groot” and “Ant-Man: Quantumania” at Luma Pictures. Witnessing my creations come alive on the silver screen further motivates me on my creative journey. I continue to work on some personal projects and, among my works, “The Dreamland Creation”, a painting inspired by traditional print-making and fabric-dyeing techniques, received recognition as the winner of the Illustration category in Creative Quarterly Magazine. I was thrilled that my works are recognized by different awards and associations, and these recognitions drive me to push my boundaries and bring my artistic dreams closer to reality.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an environment concept artist, my focus is on creating engaging and authentic environments and prop designs for video games and films. I take pride in my contributions to the Marvel TV show ‘I Am Groot,’ which has garnered numerous awards, including the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Program. To achieve believability, I did thorough research on various vegetation types that could exist on the alien planet. Additionally, I explored composition ideas that highlight the dramatic story beats. These designs enhance the audience’s immersive experience while watching the show. My passion for world-building extends beyond professional projects. ‘Morning Rain,’ a concept art piece depicting a magical world where fish live on land and construct a town, reflects my creative exploration.

However, my artistic journey hasn’t always been smooth. I’ve spent years honing my skills in school, and there’s still much ahead of me. I’ve faced burnout and periods of inspiration running dry. I immersed myself in books, films, TV shows, and engaging conversations with fellow creatives, and reignited my creative soul.

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?
Los Angeles offers a variety of exciting attractions. Little Tokyo, located in downtown LA, is a vibrant district with Japanese-American heritage. I constantly go there and their shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions are delightful. Don’t miss out on the occasional celebration events held in this lively area! Another must-see is the Griffith Observatory, located in the hills overlooking the city. This public observatory features a planetarium, exhibits, and public telescopes. I like to check out displays on topics like space exploration and enjoy live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. The Last Bookstore is also a great place to visit. As California’s largest new and used bookstore, it boasts an extensive collection of books and records. The 22,000 sq. ft. space includes a record shop, a famous book tunnel, and unique decorations made entirely of books. It is also close to the central market, a great place to find interesting food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Alongside my supportive friends and partner, I would like to shout out to The Holy Art for their interview and the opportunity to show off my work in the Art On Loop New York Exhibition. This exhibition has been a remarkable experience for me, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my passion with a diverse audience in New York. Therefore, I want to shout out to the gallery staff that made this exhibition possible!

Website: https://www.vincentwuart.com