Hello! My name is Jiahan and I am a passionate independent artist dedicated to crafting art that resonates deeply with audiences, be it for children's books, comics, advertising, or anything in between. After earning my Master's degree from the Academy of Arts University, I joined Ehelp Company as a contracted artist where I transform visual artworks into NFTs to expand the horizons of digital art.
One of my recent creations, "Fantasy of Beijing Opera," was inspired by the film "Farewell My Concubine" and completed in October 2022. As an artist, my ambition is to merge modern and traditional art forms while innovating upon classic concepts. By doing so, I aim to bring a fresh and stylish perspective to classical opera art.
My creative inspiration stems from my deep admiration for Beijing Opera and my respect for traditional culture. Through my artistic expression, I aspire to infuse new life into conventional art forms, making them more relatable and accessible in our everyday lives.
First and foremost, I believe that creativity and passion are the most essential qualities for a successful creator. I derive inspiration from the intricate details of daily life and cherish visiting art museums, which serve as fertile grounds for artistic ideas. I relish delving into the unknown and persistently pursuing innovative ways to convey my thoughts, with curiosity acting as a key driving force.
Lastly, my comprehensive and methodical art education, combined with my professional experience, has allowed me to amass valuable expertise. This wealth of experience has not only honed my skills but also granted numerous opportunities to exhibit my talents.
As an artist, I perceive creativity as the capacity to generate unique and valuable ideas or solutions to problems. It encompasses the utilization of one's imagination, knowledge, and skills to develop original and innovative concepts. Typically, creativity is linked to the ability to think outside the box and approach challenges from fresh perspectives.
For artists, creativity plays a crucial role as it enables them to convey their thoughts, emotions, and opinions in a way that resonates with their audience. Furthermore, creativity involves constantly pushing personal boundaries.
My work is characterized by its unique and diverse visual expressions as I specialize in combining various materials and mediums to craft both beautiful and functional artwork. I enjoy employing vivid colors and patterns, along with distinct lines and shapes, to convey my ideas and themes.
My creations predominantly reflect my affection for and identification with Chinese culture, as I frequently draw inspiration from traditional Chinese customs and integrate them into my art. As a result, my pieces not only exhibit a modern art style but also incorporate elements of traditional Chinese artistic heritage.
Certainly, Chinese culture played a significant role in shaping my illustration titled "Beijing Opera Rhapsody." Firstly, this piece was inspired by Peking Opera, a traditional Chinese art form deeply ingrained in the nation's culture. With its rich history and profound cultural heritage, Peking Opera boasts a unique aesthetic value and artistic style in terms of singing, performance techniques, music, and costumes. I have drawn from these elements and transformed them into visual components and imagery in my illustration.
Secondly, the work was also influenced by the movie Farewell My Concubine. This renowned Chinese film narrates the story of two Peking Opera actors, incorporating numerous Peking Opera elements while intertwining with the history of modern China's development.
This film serves as a quintessential representation of Chinese culture, and for me, it acts as an invaluable cultural resource that inspires and informs my creative endeavors. By integrating the plot and visual images from the film into my illustration, I have added depth and vibrancy to the piece.
Receiving the MUSE Creative Award is truly exhilarating! For me, this prestigious honor signifies that my diligent efforts have been acknowledged and celebrated by my peers and professionals in the field. I am deeply humbled to accept this award, which will undoubtedly open doors for greater exposure, collaboration, and expansion of my creative and professional horizons.
Most importantly, it will serve as a catalyst for continued creativity and innovation in my future artistic pursuits, inspiring me to make even greater contributions to cultural institutions and society at large.
For me, participating in the MUSE Creative Awards represents an opportunity to present my creativity and work to a broader audience, including professionals in the field. I believe that through this platform, I can receive valuable feedback and inspiration that will help me further enhance my creativity and professionalism.
Moreover, the MUSE Creative Awards serves not only as a showcase and adjudication of artworks but also as a conduit for establishing connections and collaborations with others in the creative sphere, ultimately expanding my professional horizons and opportunities. All things considered, participating in the MUSE Creative Awards is a significant opportunity for me, and I am both grateful and excited for the experience.
Winning the MUSE Creative Awards is an incredible achievement that can provide a substantial boost to my professional status, garnering greater recognition and exposure for my artworks. It can lead to increased business opportunities and exhibition prospects, ultimately enhancing my influence and expanding my professional horizons.
Furthermore, receiving an award is a testament to my creative prowess and performance in the professional arena, serving as a validation of my artistic abilities and creative vision. Such recognition can bolster my creative confidence and motivation, inspiring me to reach new heights in my future creative endeavors.
I am originally from China, a nation steeped in history and culture, brimming with traditional art forms such as Beijing opera, Chinese painting, calligraphy, folk music, and more. These traditional arts possess significant aesthetic value and can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for contemporary creative industries, offering unique elements and styles for creative design.
Furthermore, Chinese culture is profoundly rich in meaning, encompassing philosophical ideas, religious beliefs, folk customs, and other dimensions. These cultural aspects offer extensive opportunities for thinking and expression in creative design, providing ample materials and inspiration for designers to draw from.
In the coming 5-10 years, the creative industry will experience a multitude of influences, including digitalization, automation, globalization, and cross-border cooperation, all of which will shape its future trajectory. As creative designers, we must continually update our thinking and skills to adapt to these changes and contribute to the sustainable development of the creative industry.
Digitalization is set to have a profound impact on the creative industry, transforming the way we create, present, and distribute creative content. Automation and artificial intelligence will bring new tools and capabilities to the creative process, enhancing our efficiency and creativity.
Globalization and cross-border cooperation will also play a critical role in shaping the future of the creative industry, opening up new markets and opportunities while also fostering greater collaboration and cultural exchange.
To thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape, creative designers must remain proactive, adaptable, and forward-thinking, continually honing their skills and embracing new technologies and ideas. By doing so, we can contribute to the sustainable development of the creative industry and promote innovation and growth.
As a creative person, there are several key habits we must cultivate to succeed in our field. Firstly, we must be willing to experiment and try new things, constantly challenging our creativity and exploring innovative ways to express and communicate our message.
Secondly, we must maintain a source of creative thinking and inspiration. Creativity lies at the heart of our work, so we must constantly cultivate our imagination and inspiration. This may involve reading, watching movies, traveling, interacting with others, or engaging in other activities that inspire us.
Thirdly, we must learn to collaborate with others effectively. Our industry requires us to work alongside professionals from other disciplines, such as photographers, musicians, screenwriters, and more. Building strong collaborative relationships is essential for success in the creative field, as it fosters cooperation, innovation, and synergy.
Ultimately, by embracing these habits, we can cultivate a resilient and dynamic creative practice that continually evolves and adapts to the changing demands of the industry.
The creative industry is a dynamic and constantly evolving field. To excel and improve our skills and standards, we must continue to learn and explore, actively participate in industry-related activities and communities, and maintain an open mind and innovative thinking.
Staying up-to-date with industry trends and developments is essential for success in the creative field. Social media and online communities are great resources for learning about new trends and techniques, while art galleries and exhibitions can provide opportunities to learn about different cultures and perspectives.
Participating in events like the MUSE Creative Awards can also be incredibly beneficial, providing a platform to showcase our work, network with other professionals, and gain inspiration and insights from industry leaders.
Ultimately, by remaining curious, engaged, and open to new ideas and experiences, we can continually evolve and elevate our creative practice, staying at the forefront of the industry and making meaningful contributions to the cultural landscape.
Andy Warhol has been a significant influence on me, as he was a modern artist who made a profound impact on contemporary art. His works featured brightly colored images, image reproduction, and pop culture, highlighting the importance of popular culture.
Warhol's approach to art made me realize that inspiration for artworks can be found in media and popular culture. His love for pop culture was reflected in his work, and this has encouraged me to pay more attention to contemporary society and pop culture in my own work.
Moreover, the bridge that Warhol created between art and commerce has been an important lesson for me. He showed that art and commerce can coexist in harmony, which has inspired me to explore new ways to integrate commercial elements into my art. Overall, Warhol's contributions to the art world have been invaluable and continue to influence generations of artists like myself.
I completely agree that persistence and constant experimentation are key to success in the creative industry. In order to succeed, it's essential to be well-prepared and possess a deep skill set, but it's also important to have the courage to try new things and take risks. As a creative person, I believe that exploration is a continuous process, and every creation represents a new opportunity to experiment and innovate.
In my own creative process, I enjoy experimenting with different materials, techniques, and styles, as this helps me to discover new and exciting art forms. However, success also requires perseverance and self-challenge. I constantly self-examine and reflect on my work, looking for areas of improvement and ways to overcome my limitations. Seeking feedback and suggestions from others is also important, as this allows me to learn from different perspectives and continuously improve my work.
Overall, success in the creative industry requires a combination of preparation, courage, experimentation, perseverance, and self-reflection. By embracing these qualities and striving for constant improvement, we can achieve our goals and make meaningful contributions to the field.
Jiahan Fan is a passionate spirited independent artist that dedicates her time to crafting art that touches the hearts of many including children’s books, comics, advertising and believes creativity and passion are the most important qualities that makes a successful creator.
Read more about this interview with I-Yang Huang from the United States, the Gold Winner of the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards.