Meet Xi Wang | Digital Art & Unreal Engine Artist

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

Hi Xi, how do you think about risk?
Every creative endeavor comes with its own set of risks and rewards. I am naturally drawn to taking risks, but I recognize that not all risks are worth pursuing. My willingness to embrace risk is contingent upon whether the choice aligns with my passions and contributes to the vision I have for my future career. For instance, before coming to Los Angeles, I lived a simple life as an independent artist with my family. However, my curiosity for digital art and the industry’s trends led me to pause my career and study abroad. Even though my daughter was born around the same time, I chose to pursue my passion for 3D animation at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
During my studies, I discovered real-time animation’s potential at the Siggraph 2019 LA exhibition. Excited about this new opportunity for visual artists, I decided to use the Unreal Engine for my thesis. Although I had no prior experience, I persevered, and a year later, my work earned me awards, film festival nominations, and a strong start to my career.
Looking back, taking those risks opened countless doors of opportunity for me. I not only expanded my career but also found greater creative freedom. Currently, I have just left my staff position at Digital Domain, where I spent three rewarding years with the previsualization and virtual production team. Now, I have decided to join the field of artificial intelligence and the digital public art pioneer, Refik Anadol Studio, embarking on an exciting new journey of exploration.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe art goes beyond showcasing technical skills and conforming to mainstream aesthetics. I find satisfaction in doing things differently and rebelling against conventions and stereotype. For example, in my animated short film “Metamorphosis,” I combined elements of surrealism, post-apocalyptic zombies, and traditional Chinese gardens to create a unique visual atmosphere. During my thesis’s presentation, a professor questioned why I used zombies, seeing it as a less serious or commercial choice. However, this was precisely the rebellion against mainstream aesthetics that I aimed for, breaking boundaries and fitting the theme of extreme pollution and species extinction.

I am most excited about exploring digital technology and the virtual world, as I believe traditional art language cannot fully express today’s pressing issues and human existence. I have delved into the cyber world in my early paintings, My current work “Illusory Land” merges virtual art with traditional art, creating a harmonious blend.

My journey into digital art started with a Flash animation short film called “Mysterious Planet” after I graduated from high school. During the SARS outbreak, while staying home and playing on the computer, I discovered the rising trend of Flash animation on the internet. Flash was incredibly convenient, allowing anyone to bring images to life without prior animation experience. It opened up a whole new world for me, and I eagerly spent over a month creating my first animated short film.

Since then, during my time at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and as a resident artist, I continued creating two more Flash animations. Later, at USC, I studied 3D animation art, and now, I use real-time animation for VR, motion graphic design, projection mapping, and more. Through these experiences, I have explored different digital media, deepening my immersion, convenience in creation, and understanding of the impact of the virtual world on society.

It was not an easy journey. My career was filled with numerous challenges and risks. However, by following my passions, staying persistent in pursuing my goals, and receiving support from my family, mentors, and friends, I managed to overcome these obstacles and forge ahead. For instance , Making choices and decisions is always challenging. Despite the questioning voices, I remember one of successful artist friends suggested that instead of studying in an unknown field in the US, I should use the money to start a business, which seemed more practical. Though financial pressures exist, I believe that investing in my future career through innovation is a more satisfying and interesting way.

The most valuable lesson I learned is to trust my instincts with any idea from the beginning; it guides me in the right direction. Otherwise, no matter how hard I try, it won’t stand out. For instance, “Metamorphosis” originated from a sketch while I was preparing for my graduation project. In class one day, a peculiar image flashed in my mind: a group of butterflies forming a human figure. I quickly captured this daydream on my iPad and showed it, along with other drawings, to my mentor, Michael Patterson. He encouraged me to develop this idea further. The fantasy style of this concept differed completely from my previous works, and that’s how the entire animation unfolded from that point. Furthermore, “Illusory Land” shares a similar experience. While walking, an image of a cyber figure wearing a VR helmet in the shape of a triangle suddenly appeared in my mind. This vision eventually became the main character of the project.

I am passionate about not only showcasing my skills but also gradually introducing my vision and imagination to the entertainment industry and art world. Additionally, I aim to utilize new technology to create unique and immersive experiences that captivate the audience.

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’d love to take my friend on a memorable tour. We’ll start at the Getty Center, where I have cherished memories of working on projection art shows. The art collections, modern space, garden, and stunning mountain view will captivate us. Next, we’ll head to The Broad in Downtown LA, immersing ourselves in its contemporary architecture and captivating artworks. For another day of adventure, Disneyland Park awaits us, with its exhilarating Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, offering the most immersive theme park experience. The newly opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will be a treat, allowing us to explore the fascinating history of Hollywood films and stars.
If we still have energy on the last day, we can visit The Huntington Library, where we’ll be enchanted by a variety of gardens from around the world. It’ll be a journey filled with art, imagination, and delightful experiences.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my career, Grammy-winning director and USC professor Michael Patterson has been a vital mentor in both art and profession. His cross-media creations broadened my perspective, showing me how different art fields and styles can interconnect. From transforming live-action footage into hand-drawn animation in “Commuter” to iconic music videos and computer animation commercials, I learned that with patience and an open mind, I can discover my own style and language in digital art. Moreover, Michael’s constant encouragement and feedback helped me quickly identify my interests and strengths in this field. Additionally, contemporary artist Hong Lei, multimedia artist and USC professor Jordan Halsey, and visualization expert Scott Meadows have also been a great source of support and guidance.

Website: https://www.jakexwang.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wang_xi_83/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xi-wang-jake-837b19187/