Meet Taiwanese illustrator, Xinhwang.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a Sagittarius with a sensitive heart. I love art, literature, fantasy, and I am obsessed with the silence in the night and the shimmering enthusiasm of the stars. I like to investigate tiny everyday things with my binoculars and to saturate in the cinema to cry alone. I dream to one day bring warmth to others through the power of art, but what I want to do most right now is to finish reading my book by Proust and to befriend an elephant.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Busy city, life is a hurry, but I try to slow myself down. Watching the stars and talking to the moon, reading a book or a walk in the park.

I dream to one day bring warmth to others through the power of art, but what I want to do most right now is to finish reading my book by Proust and to befriend an elephant.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing is that there are many art exhibitions and bookstores in big cities.

The worst is that the pace of life is a little too fast, the air quality is not very good.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

poetry, obsessed, withdrawal

How did you start your career in art?

I studied art classes in high school and studied fashion design in college. During college, I started to write diaries with illustrations, using illustrations to record my everyday life and ideas.

During college, I started to write diaries with illustrations, using illustrations to record my everyday life and ideas.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes, my parents are very supportive of me.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I hope that I can become an artist and do all kinds of different forms of creation. The best thing is to combine illustrations and costumes.

I hope that I can become an artist and do all kinds of different forms of creation. The best thing is to combine illustrations and costumes.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Patti smith. She is my goddess. I hope to design clothes for her and connect music and literature from them.

How would you describe the women around you?

Tender and persevering. Their souls are shining very attractive to me.

Tender and persevering. Their souls are shining very attractive to me.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

No, my growing environment is in the country. Fewer people are engaged in creative industries.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Yes, being a woman in a traditional eastern society is a challenge but relative to other industries, I think women can be balanced with men.

Keep curiosity. Observe and care about the things around you. Love life, and don’t give up easily.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Keep curiosity. Observe and care about the things around you. Love life, and don’t give up easily.

Photos courtesy of Xinhwang.