Meet Sichen Liu | Artist and Crafter

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

Hi Sichen, what do you want your legacy to be?
I have been identified as “a weird creature lover” and “a person who make cute stuff” at school. Which is true for I will always hope to learn more fun knowledge and create more beautiful things.

I want to leave a whole cabinet (could be in the real world or in digital space) of weird and fun pieces – models I made, nature fragments I collected, stories I created, experiences I crafted… When people discover them, they will be inspired by my world, feeling soft and gaining vitality, even for a tiny moment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I find immense joy in building worlds and telling stories. Whether it’s within a digital environment or through a tangible diorama. The power of storytelling allows me to connect with the audiences on a deeper level, leaving a lasting impact that extends beyond the experience itself.

I’m proud to have created moving images and new experiences that captivate and engage people. My work “Artificial Galapagos” creates a world where AI-generated creatures inhabited in digital realms, has been exhibited in multiple galleries and museums around the world. My favorite comment for this piece of work is “bazaar and poetic”. Hearing people’s feelings about the work, even if they cannot precisely describe it, recharge my creativity.

I find delight in making dioramas, interactive toys, and designing unique jewelry and cute items. They allow me to express myself in different ways and continuously explore new possibilities. “Tree, Tree” is a stop-motion animation I created that is about myth and growth. I made it an installation and presented the whole world in a piece of old furniture. Left clues for the audience to depict the whole story.

I biggest challenge throughout my creation is that I will always be afraid that no one will care about the story. Talking to people or sharing my work on the Internet to get feedback will help sometimes. Or I’ll just try to not care that so much and focus on my own work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This has happened a few times now and one place I will always take my friends to is an antique shop: Nostalgia in Providence. It’s quite small but wonderful. We could share our findings and guess the stories behind each object. There are categories that can suit different people’s interests. Old cameras for those who love photography and machines; antique pictures and postcards for paper and story lovers; clothes for those who love to dig through trends of different times; and I will always find a new toy every time I visit there.

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?
I want to Shoutout to my best friend, who has been my classmate for 10 years from middle school to college. She has a unique perception of the world and can write beautiful words. She is a great collaborator and inspirer, not only in my work but also in my life.

Another “virtual” friend is Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She has great power in her self-identity and love and curiosity for the world, which has been a great inspiration for my attitude towards life.

And most importantly, I want to say thank you to my parents. They have been amazing friends and mentors throughout my life and always trust and support my every decision.

Website: https://uu.cargo.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ovo.uu/