Illustrator Mengxia Liu loves to share stories through drawing and observing the behavioural quirks of different cultures. From an early age she was immersed in the vivid life of the Chinese market where her parents owned a shop. Her work is fuelled by the contrasting experiences of China and the UK and often consists of lively depictions of multicultural scenes.
In 2017, Mengxia took a bold career step when she left China to study for an MA in Visual Communication at Birmingham City University. She found the experience of study in the UK very different from China and enjoyed the freedom to experiment. She recorded her experiences through visual diaries and doodles in which she developed her unique style. Having always been fascinated by the hustle and bustle of market life and the stories to be observed there, she produced work that explored crowded market scenes in the Birmingham Bullring. This makes her work a unique fusion of east and west. “For me,” she says, “the Birmingham markets are both familiar and strange settings. They inspire me to see the same thing differently and I try to explore this in my work.”
Also, being new to the phenomena of ‘Christmas’, Liu is fascinated by the German Christmas markets that have appeared in the UK and wants to portray the energy and life she sees there. Through listening to people tell their stories she has become aware of the sense of community in this collision of cultures that she carefully observes and records through her drawings.
As a woman from a traditional Chinese background Mengxia has a constant emotional struggle as to whether to follow her chosen career path as an illustrator, or to take the traditional route expected of her by her family: to get married and have children. Since coming to the UK, Liu has been exhibited in London and been selected as artist in residence at the Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale in 2019. She has also exhibited at the Coventry Biennale of Contemporary Art and been artist in residence at the Grand Union Gallery in Birmingham. Talented and determined to develop her career as an artist Liu is a woman to watch. We can’t wait to see her future projects.
We chatted to Mengxia about her latest projects and where she finds inspiration for her amazing work.
Why did you decide to become an illustrator and how has that ambition evolved over time?
When I was a child, I started to study painting at school. I came to the UK alone to study three years ago. I had never been to a country outside of China. I felt excited about everything and wrote many diaries and made many doodles to record my stories. I realized that I am a person who loves to share stories through drawing and decided to focus on becoming an illustrator. After I finished my MA, I got an opportunity to continue my artistic career in the UK. My teachers in the university and at the local gallery – Grand Union – have given me so much support.
Where did you study and what do you know now, that you wish you’d known when you started your design course?
I took my Master’s degree in Visual Communication at Birmingham City University. I wish I had had better English language skills and more confidence before starting the course as an international student. The important thing about studying is building your network of contacts. It’s helpful to begin doing this from day one.
What top tips would you give to current illustration students or women considering a career in the illustration industry?
My favourite Illustrator – Lisk Feng said “If you want to be an illustrator, just do it now. Don’t think: I’m going to start my illustrator career once I made enough money.” That encourages me whenever I suffer from financial problems and it encourages me to take charge of my life.
Commission for Brum Zine Fest, July 2019
Do you have any female role models or mentors who have shaped your career?
Yes, I do. There are so many stories of brilliant female illustrators who have encouraged me. They have overcome problems of age and gender. They are so brave. When I studied in Beijing then years ago I met my female teacher, Hairong Yan, a Chinese contemporary ink Artist. We still maintain a good relationship. She decided not have children so as to pursue her artistic career. It takes huge strength to go against the Chinese tradition of women being a mother before all else. Through her attitude to life and her artistic career, she brought me so much positive energy to me and always encouraged me when I was starting out on my illustration career.
How has being female impacted your education/career so far?
I think there are two things I have struggled with as a female so far. One is the sexual harassment I experienced when I was doing deep field research for a personal project. That scared me. The other thing is the pressure from my family to marry and have a baby soon. It’s hard for them to understand my drive is different from that of traditional Chinese women.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
I would like to make a contribution to the global illustration and education industries .
Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you approach a new project?
My projects are inspired by my personal experience. There is a huge difference between my life in China and the new life I have in the UK. With each personal project I think about what I want from this project and what this project can deliver to other people. Then I decide to do it or not. Normally, commissioned projects will come from my network. Also, some people know my work online and contact me through my email. I would say, it is so important to expose your work in the public as much as you can.
Has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted your career and how have you managed this?
There are so many people who have lost their jobs because of Covid-19. Sadly, I am one of them. I lost my part-time job which means I don’t have a stable income to cover my daily spending. But I still have some commissions and savings to support myself and I’m looking into some funding to help with my personal projects as well.
Who are your top five female creative crushes currently working in the industry?
Cindy Sherman, Jessica Walsh, Yuko Shimizu, Lisk Feng and Victo Ngai.
