— A Deep Dive with Four Artists: Unpacking the Thoughts Behind Their Creative Process
Live Stream Recap: Artist Roundtable
Date: Saturday, May 24, 8:00–10:00 PM
Topic: The Role of Artists and Creative Strategies in the New Media Era
Artists: Tan Xiaozheng (Chengdu), Wang Dazhi (Shanghai), Zhao Fei (Nanchong), Gao Yuan (Yantai/Shanghai/Chengdu)
Format: A four-way livestream on Xiaohongshu (RED), discussing art creation, education, traditional-meets-modern aesthetics, and the opportunities brought by new media.
Guest Intros & Core Takeaways
1. Tan Xiaozheng (Initiator / Animation Curator)
Identity:
Founder of Dongke Studio and creator of the comic Black Rabbit & Pink Pig, with deep experience in animation and new media.
Views:
- Believes artists need to embrace new media. Live streams can break the loneliness of solo creation and foster relaxed, interactive conversations.
- Introduced the concept of the “art shill” — someone who helps spotlight creators with unique voices and ideas through media platforms.
- Plans to continue organizing themed livestreams with cross-disciplinary guests like animation directors and musicians, creating a talk-show style format similar to “Behind the Headlines with Wen Tao.”
2. Wang Dazhi (College Instructor / Pop Art Explorer)
Creative Path:
From exploring disposable coffee cups to traditional landscapes and succulents, he blends pop art with Chinese cultural elements.
On Teaching:
- Criticizes rigid sketching training; prefers inspiring students with contemporary examples like Andy Warhol and Takashi Murakami.
- Stresses that art education should be inclusive and encourage students to draw ideas from city life—like shopping districts and exhibits in Shanghai.
On New Media:
Artists should participate moderately—documenting real processes without chasing viral trends blindly.
3. Zhao Fei (University Lecturer / Dad of Three)
Art Style:
Blends oil painting and traditional Chinese ink to explore Eastern aesthetics and the concept of harmony between man and nature.
Thoughts on Practice:
- Says traditional techniques must be connected to real life—not just slapping in symbols like lanterns and opera masks.
- Believes students should break free from “standard answers” and learn traditional design through composition and color relationships.
Philosophy:
Family and parenting are major inspirations. Art should be rooted in real-life experience.
4. Gao Yuan (Internationally Trained Professional Artist)
Style:
A mix of expressionism, pop art, and graffiti, often blended with designer toy aesthetics. Known for his Untitled Girl series.
Views & Challenges:
- Critiques the obsession with “technical basics” in art education, arguing that personal expression matters more.
- Opposes superficial use of “Chinese style” elements—advocates for deeper cultural fusion like Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto’s Eastern aesthetic logic.
On AI & the Future:
Actively uses AI tools to learn, but warns about social media echo chambers and urges artists to stay independent in thought.
Common Ground & Creative Tensions
1. Blending Tradition and Modernity
- Wang Dazhi and Zhao Fei emphasize starting from core ideas like spatial composition, not just pasting traditional symbols.
- Gao Yuan warns against “trendy Chinese style” becoming too commercialized, saying artists should dive deeper into their work like Murakami does.
2. The Struggles of Art Education
- University courses are lagging behind real-world industry trends. Students often can’t tell what matters. Teachers need to guide open thinking, not just teach techniques.
- Tan Xiaozheng suggests exhibitions and urban spaces should act as a “second classroom” to broaden students’ perspectives.
3. New Media: A Double-Edged Sword
Consensus:
Using media to document your work and connect with audiences is valuable—but creators must balance this with the purity of art and not chase views.
- Wang and Gao both support moderate engagement. Zhao prefers to balance online exposure with offline exhibits and workshops.
Memorable Quotes
Tan Xiaozheng:
“Artists should be art shills—help filter the creative ecosystem and spotlight voices with independent ideas.”
Wang Dazhi:
“Shanghai’s cultural inclusiveness helped me grow from a fresh grad with textbook thinking into someone exploring pop art in new ways.”
Zhao Fei:
“My three daughters are my muses. Art is a companion to life—not something that stands above it.”
Gao Yuan:
“AI is just a tool. Artists must be the recorders of humanity, not slaves to the algorithm.”
Looking Ahead: Keep Connecting, Keep Creating
This live session drew over 1,000 viewers, with active participation in the chat. Tan Xiaozheng revealed plans to launch a regular + rotating guest format, continuing the “art talk show” vibe, and exploring new topics like cross-disciplinary curation.
He encourages artists to approach personal IP like entrepreneurs and shared that the next episode will dive deep into the artistic philosophy of Takashi Murakami.
Art as a Bridge, Every Weekend
Tune in to Xiaohongshu every Saturday or Sunday night for honest conversations and creative sparks between artists.
(This summary was compiled directly from a 2-hour livestream transcript using AI, with no fictional additions. All new content is based on actual dialogue. Artists have reviewed and approved the final version.)