Meet Ruichao Jiang | Multimedia Artist

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

Hi Ruichao, what inspires you?
I gain inspiration from my observations and reflections on things, as well as from my interests. For example, the inspiration of Male Pregnancy series originated from my experiences in the Chinese fanfic community. In this predominantly female-centric community, I noticed that female creators in the Chinese context are increasingly inclined to project Chinese traditional narrative of objectifying females onto male characters they admire. By doing so, they “second-sex” these male characters, moving them away from traditional masculine traits, making them more approachable and safe to embody their beloved roles. I can see and feel the changes in the representation of female spiritual needs and subjectivity in romantic and erotic creations. These evolving attitudes offer enlightening perspectives, leading me to develop projects addressing gender issues. Simultaneously, I am interested in science and technology, so during the process of developing the concepts of the projects, evolutionary biology and reproductive science gave me a lot of inspiration, and these were why I finally decided to use the Male Pregnancy setting in the fanfic as a focal point to tell a story of gender power reversal. Viewing sexual reproduction as the starting point of gender formation from a physiological perspective, I sought to provoke reflection on gender structures by altering the traditional roles in the reproductive process. I also used sci-fin elements in the projects to make the project more related to real life. I enjoyed developing fantasy narratives based on reason and logic, believing that this rational fantasy grounded in the real world possesses a certain power to engage people in the fictional story.

The inspiration behind my A Little Bit Fat series also stems from my experiences as a neurodivergent individual during my formative years. A Little Bit Fat can be considered a reflection of my internal self-image—a creature that is large, clumsy, and slow-moving, struggling to keep pace with others. This image originated from my adolescent experiences in a highly competitive high school, where I felt out of place and peculiar, surrounded by peers seemingly maturing into “appropriate” adults while I remained an odd creature among them. As I delved into neuroscience, I realized the possible connection to neurodivergence. Throughout my artistic journey, I experimented with various forms and mediums, gradually crafting the image of A Little Bit Fat. I aim to share this creation with everyone who has felt loneliness, bewilderment, and a sense of not fitting in.

In summary, I remain committed to creating sincerely based on my observations and reflections, avoiding the fabrication of emotions or insincere thoughts for the sake of a captivating story.

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.
I have always been interested in both science and art. Throughout my academic journey, I often found myself straddling two worlds. In high school, I dreamed of becoming a biologist while secretly aspiring to be an artist. However, in a small Chinese city, if you excelled in STEM but opted for art, you were hardly encouraged. Therefore, when I chose my undergraduate major, I opted for an interdisciplinary field. I studied ecology, planting, genetics, and landscape architecture engineering while also exploring fine arts and design. This busy course schedule afforded me the unique opportunity to experience two distinct modes of thinking. However, due to professional constraints and certain societal events occurring at that time, I was gripped by anxiety that hindered my creative freedom.

That’s when I made the bold decision to attend an art school in the US. I am immensely grateful for my time at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where I found great guidance and an environment conducive to creative expression when I needed it most. I learned critical design, space design, interactive media, and generative art, greatly enhancing my creative abilities. At the same time, I realized that I couldn’t let go of my passion for science and technology. Scientific thinking is an important part of my storytelling process, and the blend of scientific fascination and artistic expression is my way of creating.

After graduating, I continued developing the projects initiated at MICA. Meanwhile, I worked at a fine art gallery in New York for almost two years. During this period, I transitioned from a Graphic/Space Designer to a gallery manager, gaining exposure to various aspects of gallery operations. This job provided me with the opportunity to delve deeper into the fine art industry, working alongside professional artists and art institutions. However, as I became increasingly busy, I gradually lost the energy to focus on my personal projects. During this time, I continued to show some of my past works and received many positive reviews. I gradually realized that if I were to achieve success in any aspect, I hoped it would be through my own creative work.

As a result, I made the determined decision to resign from my job and began preparations for my first solo exhibition in New York: New ART Presentation. This artist’s Sci-fictional exhibition explores new human Assisted Reproductive Technology. The exhibition primarily includes technologies that enable men to take on the role of reproductive labor, such as male in vitro fertilization and the implantation of embryos in an artificial womb for male pregnancy. It also features a form of human parthenogenesis, in which two female egg cells merge and undergo genetic modifications to allow for the normal reproduction of embryos without male involvement. This exhibition reflects the dynamics of power and rights in the human reproduction process. I am currently working on it, hoping to use various media and technologies to provide the audience with a more immersive and thought-provoking experience.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would like to have a gallery with my friends. Having previously worked in galleries, I am quite familiar with the local art scene. I believe that galleries embody the cultural atmosphere and style of a city, offering a great window into its urban vibe. Especially with the emergence of new young galleries, there are many intriguing local artists to discover.

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 my time at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). At that time, I was immersed in uncertainty and anxiety about whether I could enter the creative and art industry. MICA generously opened the door to the art world for someone without an artistic background like me, leading to a series of subsequent creations. There, I gained a deeper understanding of art and design, and my ability of storytelling greatly improved. Many thanks to the department director, Ellen Lupton, and Jennifer Cole Phillips; their guidance and support were crucial. I would also like to express gratitude to friends who, during the creative process, discussed and critiqued works together with me. Similarly, I am very thankful for the support of my family because it is with their support that I could bravely choose to pursue creative endeavors.

Website: https://www.ruichao-jiang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rc.jiang/?next=%2Fdianalitardo42019%2F&ref=Imgum.net&hl=ne

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruichao-jiang-330a471a2/