Meet Angela Wei | Visual Artist

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

Hi Angela, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think I always knew I wanted to pursue something creative; most members from my maternal side of the family are artists in various capacities, so I felt a natural inclination towards art as a child. However, for a long time I didn’t perceive being an artist as a viable career path, as there is no clear roadmap for success. Most of my college friends were going into finance, tech, design – fields with a somewhat clearly defined trajectory whereas being a full time artist felt like a great risk. While I was certainly fearful, I knew that I owed it to myself to give it a try. Art has always been the one constant source of fulfillment, expression, and comfort in my life, and I didn’t want to look back with regret. That’s why I made the decision to fully commit to my art practice.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is rooted deeply in exploring the complexities of the human experience, delving into themes like memory, nostalgia, innocence, and religion. What sets my work apart is the tension between a surface level cuteness in style and a more subversive undertones in theme. Cuteness is ultimately a type of defense mechanism against these realities that would be difficult to digest had they been represented literally.

What excites me most is the freedom to not be confined to a single genre. While some of my pieces are two-dimensional, reminiscent of the Japanese superflat movement, others are composed entirely of sponge textures, and some blend both approaches.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of resilience and perseverance, as well as surrounding oneself with a supportive community of fellow artists and mentors—a crucial factor in overcoming challenges and staying motivated.

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.
I would love to take a friend to my favorite haunts in New York; the city is full of hidden gems. Evidently a trip to the MET is necessary, in my slightly biased opinion. We would go to the Impressionist wing to see Monet’s waterlilies then pop by the most underrated part of the museum, the Luce Center, the museum’s open storage-space and installation for American art. We would grab a bagel and take the subway to SOHO to browse at McNally Jackson bookstore to pick up a new book to read, before heading down to the lower east side for some vintage shopping. A few of my favorite stores are seven wonders collective and Lara Koleji. For dinner, we would indulge in Chinatown’s best dumpling shop, King dumplings, and finally grab drinks at Gem wine to end the night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As cliché as it may seem, I wouldn’t be here today without my mom, who is an artist and graphic designer. While many immigrant parents steer their children towards more stable career paths, my mom was always supportive of my passion. She gave me the courage to think outside of the box and to take myself seriously today, and not simply follow the crowd.

Website: https://angelawei.cargo.site/

Instagram: @theangelawei