Interview With Artist Jing (Ellen) Xu
Congratulations to Jing (Ellen) Xu for earning her place as a Winner in the Boynes Monthly Art Award November 2024 Edition!
Who are you?
I was born and raised in Inner Mongolia, China, but I now call Elmhurst Queens, NY, my home. My journey as a multidisciplinary artist began with a BA in Sculpture and law from Xiamen University, followed by an MFA from the University of Washington in Seattle. My artistic path has been profoundly influenced by a deep curiosity about the nature of time, self-discovery, and our shared human experiences. As an introvert, art has been my primary language of expression—it's how I've communicated my emotions and perceptions about the world around me for as long as I can remember.
“Making Boring”
Popsicle sticks, varied sizes of cut wood, dripping red hot glue, permanent marker
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
What inspired you to utilize mixed media as a medium?
Curiosity has always been a driving force for me. Growing up in Inner Mongolia, I was immersed in rich storytelling traditions that sparked my imagination. It wasn't until I moved to Xiamen that I realized how deeply these influences shaped me. My education in China provided a solid foundation in various artistic mediums, which are now integral to my identity as an artist. For me, the emotional resonance and meaning behind a concept guide me in choosing the "right" medium. It’s a constant exploration—each piece demands a different approach, and I learn so much through the process. This journey of discovery is what makes each creation exciting and unique.
“Making Boring”
Popsicle sticks, varied sizes of cut wood, dripping red hot glue, permanent marker
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
How would you describe your ARTwork?
My artwork is a multifaceted exploration that incorporates various mediums like painting, drawing, and installation. I delve into concepts such as time, reality, history, memory, and fantasy, often intertwining these elements to create a richer narrative.
I approach my art as a storyteller, questioning and deconstructing my roles within both private and public spaces. This curiosity leads me to examine the fluidity of our self-images and the complexities of our identities.
When representing the history and identity of women, I often employ labor-intensive and repetitive techniques. This use of repetition and expansion is vital to my installations, paintings, and drawings, as it imbues them with a vibrant sense of life and movement. My goal is to create pieces that not only resonate with individuals but also spark important conversations within the community.
Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?
In this piece, Turn Right, I combine acrylic and modeling clay on canvas to playfully explore themes of time, reality, and fantasy. I also give the audience an option; the artwork can be viewed horizontally or vertically.
The modeling clay I use undergoes natural color changes a little when exposed to prolonged sunlight for a long time. This transformation is intentional, symbolizing respect and humility toward nature while reflecting the passage of time and its impact on memory.
Through labor-intensive and repetitive techniques, I highlight the often-unseen labor of women, drawing attention to their contributions throughout history.
“Turn Right”
Acrylic and modeling clay on canvas
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your winning work?
I started with acrylic paint for this piece, focusing on the small painting at the beginning. As I worked, I began to wonder what lay outside the canvas depicted in the painting. I realized there was much more I wanted to explore, even though I considered the artwork finished.
This curiosity led me to think about how I could represent my work through both painting and sculpture. To achieve this, I used modeling clay and experimented with my mixing techniques by sculpting each dot one by one and letting them dry. I could give life to my ideas, creating a three-dimensional dialogue that complemented my paintings. This process became a profound exploration of how artworks can coexist and communicate.
“I Am So Cool”
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?
In my work, I aim to communicate the significance of women's labor and contributions throughout history, particularly those that often go unnoticed. By employing labor-intensive and repetitive techniques, I emphasize the value of this hard work, which resonates in both my installations and paintings. Central to my practice are the ideas of repetition, expansion, and nuance, which together create a sense of life and movement within the pieces.
I invite viewers into this dynamic experience with the hope of fostering a sense of inclusivity. My goal is to inspire a collective pursuit of positive change, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own relationships with labor and the importance of recognizing the contributions made by women throughout time. In essence, my work seeks to spark dialogue and inspire action towards a more equitable future.
“At This Moment”
Packing air pillows, paper tubes/Documentation of live performance
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?
Early in my career, I spent months creating a large-scale installation only to realize, during its first showing, that the spatial composition overwhelmed the viewer’s experience rather than enhancing it. That experience taught me the importance of truly understanding the relationship between a work and its environment. It wasn’t just about creating in isolation; it was about imagining how others would move through and interact with the space.
“I Am So Cool”
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?
For me, success isn’t just about accolades but the moments when my work resonates deeply with others. One highlight was a community-based project I organized in Queens called Elmhurst Project. Seeing participants, especially children, find joy and creative expression through the workshops felt incredibly rewarding. This experience reaffirmed my belief that art can be a bridge—a way to connect people and foster a sense of belonging. I consider this a success because it aligns perfectly with my philosophy of community and inclusivity.
“Fall #2”
Acrylic and modeling clay on canvas
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
Can you give us the best piece of advice you have ever heard/received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is: “Be curious about your own curiosity.” It’s a simple phrase but incredibly profound. It reminds me to follow my instincts and trust that the questions I’m drawn to exploring—no matter how abstract or unconventional—are worth pursuing. This mindset has freed me from the pressure of needing everything to make sense immediately. It’s also led me to embrace experimentation and to see “failures” as integral steps in the creative process.
As a winner, do you have any advice for artists who want to apply for awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?
My advice would be to view these opportunities not just as validation but as ways to grow. Rejections are part of the process, so don’t let them discourage you. Instead, think of them as stepping stones. Keep creating and submitting—it’s about perseverance as much as talent.
“Fall #3”
Acrylic and modeling clay on canvas
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
What is your dream project or piece that you hope to accomplish?
My dream project would be an interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together artists and community leaders to transform an underutilized urban space into an evolving art environment. This space would function as both a public artwork and a living, participatory archive of the community’s culture, histories, and dreams. I see it as an ever-changing dialogue between art and life, one where the audience isn’t just a spectator but an active participant.
“All I See Is Orange”
Acrylic and modeling clay on canvas
By Jing (Ellen) Xu
Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?
Stay rooted in the values and questions that define your practice, but remain restless enough to keep challenging your comfort zone. This is especially true in mixed media, where experimentation is key. Trust that the connections between disparate elements—materials, techniques, or even ideas—will reveal themselves through the process.
To view more of Jing (Ellen) Xu