We had the good fortune of connecting with Ruiting (tina) Guo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruiting (Tina), what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I became serious about my passion for art around the age of 13. I grew up watching a lot of animation, partly to improve my English, but it ended up having the wonderful side effect of introducing me to the magical world of art. I realized that art holds immense power in the intangible and profound truth behind the fantastical. Children grow up with picture books and cartoons, and the art they consume subtly yet powerfully shapes their opinions, values, and worldview, potentially influencing the person they become.

I fell in love with art as a means of communication, a way to tell stories and express perspectives in a gentle yet universal manner. Mutual aesthetic appreciation can invite curiosity and empathy, bridging gaps between people and cultures. Since deciding to commit to a creative career, I have been honing my skills and building culture-driven narratives that amplify marginalized and underrepresented voices.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am still in the early stages of my creative career, but my work has consistently focused on culture-driven narratives. What first mesmerized me about art was its ability to embrace, educate, and empower, which remain at the heart of my practice.

Currently, I am working on my MFA first-year short animation, which explores themes of mortality inspired by the Tibetan Sky Burial tradition. For my thesis, I plan to create an interactive piece about Unit 731, a biological warfare unit in the Imperial Japanese Army that committed atrocities, such as human experimentation, in Northern China during WWII; despite its significance, much of this history has been deliberately obscured or forgotten.

Both projects address complex and sensitive topics. One of my greatest challenges is effectively communicating such stories to audiences who may have preconceptions, biases, or limited exposure to these subjects.

Through guidance from fellow artists and personal experience, I’ve come to realize that the most responsible approach is conducting rigorous research to ensure historical accuracy, and being unapologetic in my storytelling. Some atrocities demand direct and unflinching representation rather than delicate treatment that accommodates sensitivity or ignorance. Not everyone will respond positively to my work, but regardless, it will spark conversations, which, when engaging with difficult subject matters, is inevitable yet powerful. 

Of course, this is easier said than done. I am still exploring how best to navigate these challenges and tell unique and impactful stories through my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I can’t really speak for LA, as I’ve only been living on the West Coast (in Santa Clarita) for a couple of months. However, I would love to show my friend around my home city Shenzhen!

I’d recommend starting the day with a picnic brunch at the Mangrove Park, which stretches along the city’s coastline. It’s a mangrove wetland reserve and a winter sanctuary for hundreds of migratory bird species, including endangered species like the Black-faced Spoonbill. You’ll find plenty of people jogging, biking, or sunbathing. It’s the perfect place to slow down, and reconnect with nature and people.

Another thing I love about Shenzhen is that, despite being a major urban hub known for its high-tech manufacturing industry, it’s also a very artistic city. Right next to the neighborhood I grew up in is a vibrant cluster of design studios and art galleries. I highly recommend checking out the crafts fair, which takes over the entire block every other weekend and showcases local artists’ works.

As a hardcore foodie, one of my favorite things about Shenzhen is its incredible diversity of international cuisine, from Sichuan hotpot to Vietnamese pho stalls and French patisseries. My childhood go-to was a dim sum place called Danguixuan (Laurel Chamber). Shenzhen’s food scene is constantly evolving, with new restaurants popping up all the time, so I’d definitely recommend spending the week food-hopping, trying a different spot for every meal!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am grateful for all the kindness and luck, as well as the challenges, that have shaped me into who I am today. In particular, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my parents — a chemist and a computer engineer who have always unconditionally loved and supported a little artist with a big dream.

I also want to give a special shoutout to my Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design Dual Degree Program cohort, who spent five years together navigating the academic demands of two schools while supporting one another through artist blocks and creative crises.

Website: https://rguoaaa3.myportfolio.com

Instagram: tiiinahaha

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruiting-tina-guo-91bb62174

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