Maggie Chiang is a Taiwanese American full time artist and part time dreamer. Inspired by both places real and fictitious Maggie's illustrations evoke a longing for adventure and the pursuit of the unknown, exploring impossible landscapes and places unseen. A central theme of her art is the relationship between humanity and nature, oftentimes the underlying thread that ties together her work and establishes her individual artistic voice.
Image courtesy of artist.
Chiang is one of the artists in the Fierce Tidings art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs March 31st through April 12th, 2017. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!
-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?
I believe that my background influences my work, coming from a Taiwanese family living in the US definitely shows up in my work.
"Day & Night" by Maggie Chiang (Image courtesy of artist)
-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)
When I am making my work, I don't have any expectations in any way, shape or form. My work usually is a reflection of my state of mind, so I don't ever have any expectations of how people will view the pieces I make.
"Fox" by Maggie Chiang for Giant Robot Formations show. (Image courtesy of artist)
-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?
I think art helps me express my thoughts and emotions better than I can verbally express them. I don't think I am very good at communicating my thoughts and ideas into words, so art definitely helps me.
"Woodland" by Maggie Chiang (Image courtesy of artist)
-How do current events affect your practice?
At first, I was a bit afraid to make any work that would be insensitive to anyone. But I've since realized I should just focus on the work I want to make, and not let outside factors effect the work I want to create.
"Zen" by Maggie Chiang (Image courtesy of artist)
-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?
I think my work is more reflective than it is reactive. I am constantly reflecting on myself, my life and what I've done so far. So it makes sense why my work is constantly a reflection of my thoughts and emotions.
See more of Maggie Chiang's work on www.hellomaggiec.com // Instagram @mcmintea // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition opening Friday, March 31, 2017.