Yiling Lu

Filmmaker and Interdisciplinary Artist

Being an artist with a Chinese and American experience, how has your culture influenced the way that you approach artistry?

Experiencing both Chinese and American cultures has allowed me to merge Eastern and Western aesthetics and philosophies into my work. I appreciate incorporating the traditional Chinese aesthetic of negative space and imagery in my artwork, which provides viewers with ample space to imagine and interpret. Studying fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago exposed me to the bold, individualistic expressions celebrated in Western art, which helped me embrace my identity as an artist. In my first feature film ‘PO,’ I explore how ancient Confucian values affect modern East Asian families, while also applying Lacan's psychoanalytic and structuralist theories to analyze why the protagonist, Li Yu, feels oppressed and how she can escape the mainstream ideologies of both East and West to free herself. The rich histories and storytelling traditions of both cultures inspire me to create works that address themes like cultural identity, migration, and the merging of traditions, resonating with a diverse audience.

"The rich histories and storytelling traditions of both cultures inspire me to create works that address themes like cultural identity, migration, and the merging of traditions, resonating with a diverse audience".

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Photographer: M.G. Jamal
Hair Stylist: Karmen Castaneda