Meet Tinglan Huang | Artist- Textile and Multi-disciplinary artist

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

Hi Tinglan, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
This decision is not made in a single moment but is influenced by many factors and choices. During my undergraduate studies, I didn’t really ponder over this matter; I was solely focused on honing my technical skills. It was only when I came to the Maryland Institute College of Art for my graduate degree that I had numerous opportunities to see different artworks and visit artists’ studios. These experiences provided me with a fresh understanding of the profession, and I eagerly anticipated what kind of artworks I, as an artist, could create. Additionally, receiving positive and encouraging feedback from friends and colleagues in the industry gave me the courage to continue pursuing this path.

However, it was also important to address the practical aspect of this career. I needed to consider whether I was prepared to adapt to the work and lifestyle associated with it after gaining a deep understanding of the profession. Only after having affirmative answers to all these considerations did I formally enter the industry.

Being an artist is challenging and uncertain because there is no one definitive answer, and it offers many choices. I relish the feeling of being challenged, and while this decision was not an easy one to make, I believe it is the right choice for me so far.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artworks revolve around exploring the relationship between individuals and the spaces they inhabit, with a particular focus on residential spaces. This theme holds great personal significance for me and resonates with many people. In order to cater to diverse needs, the concept of living environments has evolved beyond being a singular notion of a residence; it can be an office or a workspace as well. For instance, my apartment doubles as my artist studio, with the studio area even occupying a larger proportion than the living area. Additionally, I believe that the condition of a person’s belongings and furniture can reflect their state of mind or even their personality.

I have been exploring various media throughout different periods to align with my artistic goals. Currently, my work focuses on the relationship between people and their surrounding environments, using double weaving techniques. Unlike plain weaving, where the front and back show a single pattern, double weave allows for the fabric’s face to detach from the back, with connecting interlacings. In my work, I utilize this characteristic by creating sequences and layers on one side, giving a compressed and folded 3D impression to the 2D artwork.

Double weaving fascinates me because it can transition between clarity and blurriness. From a distance, you can identify certain elements, but up close, it becomes a mass of pixel-like cells. Multiple layers in my work abstract and obscure the subject matters, distorting their original identity. This exploration represents the gap between perception and reality, as I strive to depict the indescribable. I find pleasure in visually representing things I don’t fully understand, allowing the artwork to provide answers through its uncertain nature.

My artistic journey has been both challenging and inspiring. Experimenting with different materials has been particularly fascinating. In my undergraduate years, I worked with sculpting materials and construction materials for creating scenes. Later, I ventured into wood, metal, hemp rope, reed, and currently, I utilize yarn on a floor loom for double weaving, incorporating bee wax. Finding the ideal artistic language through materials and subject matters is a significant aspect of my creative process.

The topic of exploring the relationship between people and their surrounding environments emerged unexpectedly. After graduating from MICA in 2020, I lost access to my studio due to the pandemic. This situation led me to contemplate my true artistic aspirations. I decided to restart my artistic exploration from scratch, focusing on the most familiar aspects of my life—my apartment and its elements. Initially, I employed basic textile art skills like punch needle and hand sewing, using cotton thread to mimic the apartment’s layout. Each grid represented the time spent in that space. Eventually, I sought to deepen my knowledge in textile art, which led me to become an Artist in Residence at the Textile Art Center in New York. It was during this time that I embarked on my journey with a loom to create double weave works. I am uncertain how long I will dedicate to this skill, but I am eager to spend more time honing it.

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?
There are so many people I really appreciate, especially my parents and my husband. Even though my parents are engineers and know nothing about arts, they support me unconditionally. My husband is a painter. We will critique each other’s work and check the new exhibition together. It improved my practice and affects to become more motivated to make art.

Website: https://tinglanhuangart.com/

Instagram: tingh_studio