Meet Yuting Wang | Multidisciplinary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yuting Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Yuting, why did you pursue a creative career?
My motivations have shifted over the years, but it always comes back to who I want to be and how I want to live.
You know that moment when you see someone and think, “I want to be like that,” or “I want to do that”? That’s how I initially felt about being an artist. I don’t just enjoy seeing art; I love creating it even more, and it’s something I’m deeply passionate about.
During my darkest periods, when I felt like giving up, art was my light. It opened a door to the wonder and beauty of the world which gave me hope. Those times integrated painting into my life so deeply that I can’t imagine living without it. I decided to dedicate my life to art as a way to express my gratitude and pay homage to all the great artists who persevered and kept creating.
An unexpected benefit of this journey has been meeting so many amazing artists and individuals I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. I feel truly grateful for these connections and look forward to meeting more inspiring people.
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’ve always been captivated by the intricacies of human psychology and consciousness. The process of capturing the essence of a person’s character and the subtleties of human expression captivates me. Through my work, I aim to understand both others and myself.
Rather than seeking definitive answers, I am more interested in the diverse perspectives people from different cultures and time periods bring to understanding the world. Much of my inspiration comes from observing everyday life and from the books I read, including psychology, philosophy, religion, and now, history.
One of my current projects is related to the cyclical nature of history and periodicity of personal growth. For this project, painting along would no longer be effective to express my idea. I entered desciplines like installation and sculpture to explore new possibilities.
Being a professional artist is very rewarding, but not easy. The good and the bad is that there’s no one to tell you what to do, and success doesn’t come from following a formula. Amidst external obstacles and practical challenges, I think my greatest ‘rival’ is actually myself. Being an artist means constant learning, evolving, and reinventing myself. It involves continuous inner dialogue to clarify and define my goals and my why’s.
I’ve learned a lot on my journey, and some of these lessons I continue to practice in various forms: It’s a long game, so be patient. Progress is not linear. Trust the process. Make plans but keep an open mind; don’t fixate on specific outcomes. Rejection is an inevitable part of an artist’s career, as many decisions—whether you get into a show, a residency, or receive a grant—are somewhat subjective. Don’t take it personally.
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.
The open and inclusive environment of the SF Bay Area has fostered vibrant multicultural communities. Here, you can find incredibly authentic cuisine from all around the world. It’s no exaggeration to say that you could try a different cuisine every day for a month and still not experience them all.
I enjoy trips that combine urban cultural sites with natural scenery. If you manage to come on the first Friday of the month, we can explore the San Jose First Friday Art Walk in Downtown San Jose. There are three museums next to each others: the Institute of Contemporary Art, the San Jose Museum of Quilt and Textile, and MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana. Continuing down the street, we’ll stop by Anno Domini gallery and Works/San Jose, two of my frequent haunts. The evening will end with a drink at one of the many bars on this lively street. For dinner, Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant is a unique venue with early 20’s century vintage decor and am impressive collection of mechanical pianos. They serve European cuisine made with grass-fed beef and organic ingrediants.
On Saturday, we’ll head to Santa Cruz and begin with an easy hike on the Medicine Buddha loop trail, which features eight Buddhist verses along the trail for contemplation. For lunch, we can grab tacos at Taqueria Los Pericos in Santa Cruz. Afterward, we can stride down the streets of Santa Cruz Downtown and relax with a soak in the hot springs at Well Within Spa.
A great way to experience local life is to visit a Farmer’s Market. Sunnyvale Farmer’s Market is one of my favorite in the Bay Area. It has a lively vibe with numerous stalls offering fresh produce, baked goods, specialty foods, and often live music. Then we can spend a relaxing afternoon in the neighboring city Mountain View, enjoying treats at my favorite French bakery, Maison Alyzée, while people-watching.
For a day trip to San Francisco, I would start with tea tasting in Chinatown at Vital Tea Leaf, followed by a lunch of Sichuan cuisine and Peking roast duck at Chili House SF. Afterward, we can stop by the iconic City Lights Booksellers, an independent publisher featuring titles related to San Francisco culture, located right on the outskirts of Chinatown. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Fisherman’s Wharf and take a ferry to Alcatraz for an intriguing night tour of the former prison, now a national park.
After two days in the city, we can conclude the trip in nature. Point Reyes offers many great trails, and Sunset Beach Trail is among my favorites. At the end of the trail is a small waterfall small waterfall and we can climb down the cliff to reach the beach. We’ll drive back along Highway 1, enjoying the breathtaking Pacific coastline and stopping at various beaches along the way to fully appreciate the scenic beauty.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people have generously helped me on my journey to becoming a professional artist.
First and foremost, I want to thank my father for introducing me to the world of art. Despite being an ordinary working-class family, he nurtured my creativity from a young age. When I was just a toddler, he would stick long rolls of paper on the wall and let me draw freely. As I grew older, he often took me to art museums and galleries. He believed creativity came first and technique second. He never taught me painting techniques, but his philosophy has always guided me, helping me stay true to myself whenever I feel lost.
After becoming a full-time artist, Ali Cavanaugh greatly influenced me. She’s an amazing watercolor artist and an even more amazing mentor. I’ll always remember her telling me, “You have what it takes. There’s no doubt about it.” It wasn’t just the words; it was her sincere and serious delivery that made it unforgettable. Although I’ve only taken one workshop with her, I see her as a life-long role model and mentor.
My husband has been another pillar of support. Even before I became a full-time artist, he believed in my art career and showed it through his actions. He is always there for me through the career and emotional ups and downs. His support allowed me to pursue my artistic dreams more fearlessly, giving me the freedom to explore my creativity.
The book that continues to inspire me is “Infinity Net: The Autobiography of Yayoi Kusama.” Kusama faced numerous challenges and obstacles throughout her career but persevered with determination and unwavering actions. For example, she ventured alone to New York with only a few hundred dollars in the pocket. In the harsh winter winds of New York, she carried paintings taller than herself to galleries for self-promotion. Without an official invitation, she independently arranged to exhibit her work at the 33rd Venice Biennale. Achieving such success as a young Asian female artist in an art world dominated by white males was truly remarkable in that era. Even after gaining fame, Kusama remained grounded, with creativity still at the center of her life, leading a simple life divided between her apartment and studio.
Website: https://www.yutingwangart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yutingwangpainting
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yutingwangart/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yutingwangart/
Other: Cara: https://cara.app/yutingwangart
Image Credits
Aaron Alvarez Mendoza