YY Wang is a mixed media artist based in Scotland. Her practice are deeply rooted in Jung’s childhood analysis theory in positive psychology and the healing effect of early dreams, combining nostalgia with dreamcore aesthetics to create healing fantasy spaces. In her art world, ethereal dreams, abandoned paradises, and deformed memory fragments are given new life, bridging the past and the present, and encouraging people to rediscover and recover past emotional experiences.
Great to have you with us, YY! Which artists inspire you? Are there non-artistic influences, such as literature or music, that impact your work?
Dreamcore aesthetic influences most of my works; it is a surreal internet aesthetic that uses motifs commonly associated with dreams, daydreams or nightmares, portrayed through media such as images, videos, and music, which makes people get the feeling of familiarity, comfort, and nostalgia.
The obsession with the past, the fascination with the world of dream and imagination, and the bright colours made me addicted to this aesthetic, so I transformed the dreamcore aesthetic into my creations. You can find the elements of dreamcore in my works, such as Eternal Space and Escape.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I will pause and go do other things. Although the work is still not finished, keep going when I feel the creative blocks can always make the work worse. I will tell myself it’s time to stop, and maybe go for a walk to the park, meet friends, or just play games at home (I got lots of ideas from the iPad game Smurf recently). Inspiration is hidden in daily life. When you do something different for a while and return to creation, you will have new ideas that are completely different from before.
How has your practice changed over time?
My practice is based on Jung’s childhood analysis theory in positive psychology and the healing effect of early dreams, combining nostalgia with dreamcore aesthetic to create healing fantasy spaces. The theme seems never to change cause the reason I create is for the memories that we can never go back and the dreamscapes we have never reached, and they are always here, influencing me endlessly. But my style and form are changing all the time. I can’t create a series of work for more than 2 pieces, as I always want to make something new and different on the third one, which can keep me passionate.
What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
Don’t make work just for applying to exhibitions, don’t make work just for getting a higher score or a good comment in art school; create for yourself and the creation itself.
Can you elaborate on the significance or symbolism of the chosen title of your work?
Actually I always find it hard to name work. Music inspires a lot. I like repeating a song or album while I create. The mood and energy in the music give me will be shown in the pieces, then I will use the name of the song to name my work. For example, my recent sculpture Feels Like Yesterday, which is exhibiting in the Six Foot Gallery, is also the name of a song.
Are there any upcoming events or additional information you would like the audience to know?
I’m going to do some workshops about art and healing in Glasgow, aiming to get everyone into making art and feeling relaxed from it.
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