article In conversation with
Freya Fang Wang
In conversation with
Freya Fang Wang
Freya Fang Wang
In conversation with Freya Fang Wang about Taoism,
materialism and her advice for new graduates.
materialism and her advice for new graduates.
In conversation with Freya Fang Wang about Taoism,
materialism and her advice for new graduates.
Freya Fang Wang is a Chinese-born artist living and working in the UK. Her practice is rooted in the interconnection between Taoist philosophy and her immersive experience of the natural world. Wang’s meticulous technique combines rice paper, acrylic, ink, plaster, and glass paper, resulting in works defined by their uniquely textured surfaces and delicately layered colours.
Artiq When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist? What motivated this decision?
Freya Having grown up in an academic family, my father who is also an oil painter, led me into the wonderful world of art at an early age. I think the key time that it took to make art my long-time career perhaps was in the few years after graduation from my BA.
Artiq Your practice is rooted in Taoist philosophy and the exploration of universal energy. Could you delve deeper into these themes? How do they inform your material choices?
Freya My practice is actually my self-exploration. Taoism tells us to be at one with nature, and respect every other creature in the cycle. I have always perceived this strong spiritual interconnection that goes through my body and links every single thing in existence within the universe. And through my practice, I get deeper and deeper into this oneness of the vibration.
I also developed a meditative painting method; I use acrylic and oil pastel to visualise these extending endless entangling webs. The particles flow and strings activate this field, unifying everyone into it.
Freya Having grown up in an academic family, my father who is also an oil painter, led me into the wonderful world of art at an early age. I think the key time that it took to make art my long-time career perhaps was in the few years after graduation from my BA.
Artiq Your practice is rooted in Taoist philosophy and the exploration of universal energy. Could you delve deeper into these themes? How do they inform your material choices?
Freya My practice is actually my self-exploration. Taoism tells us to be at one with nature, and respect every other creature in the cycle. I have always perceived this strong spiritual interconnection that goes through my body and links every single thing in existence within the universe. And through my practice, I get deeper and deeper into this oneness of the vibration.
I also developed a meditative painting method; I use acrylic and oil pastel to visualise these extending endless entangling webs. The particles flow and strings activate this field, unifying everyone into it.
Artiq Having completed your MA in Painting at the RCA in 2023, what were the most valuable lessons you took away from your time as a student? What advice would you offer to art graduates entering the field this year?
Freya I think I learned a lot in my two years at the RCA, both theoretically and practically. I think the dissertation was very important and valuable- it helped me bring the relationship between each point into a structure.
From this, my practice developed very fast and formed gradually into an ongoing organic system. Undoubtedly, this big development wouldn’t happen without the tutors’ help. I got a lot of inspiration from all the tutors.
My only advice for new graduates would be try your best to ask as much as you can, and communicate with others with an open mind. The more open the mind, the more you will receive. I still remember some themes of the lectures were very open-minded!
Artiq Your work extends to meditative painting and body art; in what ways do you think art can be a tool for self-connection and self-awareness?
Freya For me, the painting process is the bridge to link my self- awareness and body to deep mediation. I understand this meditative painting process as one of moving meditation. It happens through my body-movement while I'm doing the painting.
I stand back, fully concentrate and trust on the process, and throw my body and awareness into the energy field in the studio space, letting the painting lead me, no need knowing the destination.
The only thing I know with all my heart; we will GO together, me and painting. And then the magic journey just happens.
During the process I can’t know what has happened exactly. I always found myself very interconnected to the universe through the energy without knowing.
Freya I think I learned a lot in my two years at the RCA, both theoretically and practically. I think the dissertation was very important and valuable- it helped me bring the relationship between each point into a structure.
From this, my practice developed very fast and formed gradually into an ongoing organic system. Undoubtedly, this big development wouldn’t happen without the tutors’ help. I got a lot of inspiration from all the tutors.
My only advice for new graduates would be try your best to ask as much as you can, and communicate with others with an open mind. The more open the mind, the more you will receive. I still remember some themes of the lectures were very open-minded!
Artiq Your work extends to meditative painting and body art; in what ways do you think art can be a tool for self-connection and self-awareness?
Freya For me, the painting process is the bridge to link my self- awareness and body to deep mediation. I understand this meditative painting process as one of moving meditation. It happens through my body-movement while I'm doing the painting.
I stand back, fully concentrate and trust on the process, and throw my body and awareness into the energy field in the studio space, letting the painting lead me, no need knowing the destination.
The only thing I know with all my heart; we will GO together, me and painting. And then the magic journey just happens.
During the process I can’t know what has happened exactly. I always found myself very interconnected to the universe through the energy without knowing.
Artiq What do you hope that your audience takes away from looking at your work?
Freya Oh, it’s very open. I love to hear the response of audience. I still remember fondly that someone said it’s always easily getting absorbed and lost into my work. And I love it.
Artiq You often work with a mixture of materials, including rice paper, plaster, oil pastel, paint and ink. What draws you to combining these different materials? Is there any particular medium you prefer?
Freya I used rice paper at the RCA as a textural experimentation based on the material combination between Eastern and Western. And I found it’s very interesting; I’ve stopped using it at the moment but maybe I will pick it back sometime in the future.
Recently my practice has been shifting a lot. And I’m mainly focusing on acrylic, oil pastel, ink and pigment. I like the particle line and the roughness that the oil pastel produces. I’m also enjoying the interaction between water-based acrylic and oil-based pastels- very playful and full of uncertainty which I really enjoy!
Artiq In 2023 you were the Runner-Up Artist in the ‘Now Introducing’ Art Prize and were longlisted for the VAO Emerging Artist Prize. Could you share any exciting projects that you are working on in 2024?
Freya I’m having a group show with Studio West gallery this spring, which is very gorgeous. And I’m showing three bodies of recent work. There are also some other potential plans in the future as well.
Freya Oh, it’s very open. I love to hear the response of audience. I still remember fondly that someone said it’s always easily getting absorbed and lost into my work. And I love it.
Artiq You often work with a mixture of materials, including rice paper, plaster, oil pastel, paint and ink. What draws you to combining these different materials? Is there any particular medium you prefer?
Freya I used rice paper at the RCA as a textural experimentation based on the material combination between Eastern and Western. And I found it’s very interesting; I’ve stopped using it at the moment but maybe I will pick it back sometime in the future.
Recently my practice has been shifting a lot. And I’m mainly focusing on acrylic, oil pastel, ink and pigment. I like the particle line and the roughness that the oil pastel produces. I’m also enjoying the interaction between water-based acrylic and oil-based pastels- very playful and full of uncertainty which I really enjoy!
Artiq In 2023 you were the Runner-Up Artist in the ‘Now Introducing’ Art Prize and were longlisted for the VAO Emerging Artist Prize. Could you share any exciting projects that you are working on in 2024?
Freya I’m having a group show with Studio West gallery this spring, which is very gorgeous. And I’m showing three bodies of recent work. There are also some other potential plans in the future as well.