Talk with singer turned artist Ai Jing
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Singer-turned-artist Ai Jing was invited to participate in an art exhibition for children in UCCA on June 1, International Children's Day, where she enjoyed a good time with the kids and gave a media interview.[Photo: CRIENGLISH.com] |
Ai Jing seems to have been less active in the showbiz circle over the past few years, but people never lose track of her no matter where she goes or what she does.
She succeeded as a pop singer and songwriter almost 20 years ago with one of the then most recognized guitar ballads, "My 1997." She then surprisingly transformed into an artist ten years later.
The singer-turned-artist was invited to participate in an art exhibition for children in UCCA on June 1, International Children's Day, where she enjoyed a good time with the kids.
Though we felt so acquainted with the dynamic Ai Jing, cuddling a guitar, a typical image that stays fresh in our minds, one cannot deny the lady, who has reached her 40s and wears pure white for the event, looks a lot more comfortable, composed and mature.
Ai Jing shared. She still sings and she still paints, now juggling a well-balanced life with work and family.
In late May, she recorded a couple of new songs, like "Questions and Answers," that features a mix of ballad and jazz, which is planned for release in early June.
Ai Jing put it this way - music is her lover while art is her mate and also her main focus in future.
She has her own studio in Beijing and is currently working on her "Love" series.
Her understanding of "love" as a concept goes far beyond the idea of romance between man and woman. It can also express wider concerns for the society. And she does so.
The artist has dedicated herself to the theme for years and her artwork is immediately recognizable by their simple color palette and often childlike brushstrokes, which can even be easily understood by kids.
She is not at all obsessed with so-called "identity." She said what really matters is whether she can concentrate on what she does and whether she can bring out good works from within.
Ai Jing recalls it all came together for her when she first marveled at the charm of artwork when she visited galleries in France back in 1995.
Though interested in painting since childhood, she didn't take up painting until 1998, when life took a dramatic twist: her new album was banned for allegedly obscuring music and lyrics in her new song, "Made in China."
Such a blow made the singer feel wounded for being misunderstood in her own country and she thus decided to pick up the brush to express her feelings.
Moreover, superficial competition on music charts during that time ended the passion of a woman who would rather seek freedom in painting.
But music as her first love gradually crept into her life again. She started to listen to music while painting.
She said art and music actually dwell on two sides of her brain. It's marvelous to see them mix and become one.
Now she may write down music the way she paints. When painting, she tries to feel the palette as if there were tones and think about what kind of feelings they bring, be they cold or warm, close or distant.
The artist said people better know what love is after pain and grief. Only when people accept and digest the ups and downs in life, can it be possible for one to pass on the message of optimism and beauty.
She also talked of her favorite Frida Kahlo work, "Wounded deer," and the strength she felt from her art.
Ai Jing tried to instill all of her artwork with a public concern. She once made an installment art piece, "Tree of Life," by using more than several tens of thousand disposable wooden chopsticks so as to spark awareness of environmental protection.
The artist now constantly travels back and forth between New York and Beijing for business; however she spends most of time in New York. When asked if she feels lonely, Ai Jing replied you are alone but not lonely when creating art.
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