FLUX 2021 - Jackie Li

Jackie Li

Email: jiaqili2014@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jia-qi-li-416a28138/

Jia Qi Li is a fourth-year student at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Fine Arts Studio Practice. She was born in 1998 in Shanghai, China, but moved to Canada at the age of six with her mother and father. She grew up living in Toronto, but later moved to Brampton, Ontario in 2008 with her family. Currently, she resides in Waterloo, Ontario.  Jackie primarily focuses on painting and drawing as her areas of art practice, and uses her life experiences to express emotions through her works.

Artist Statement

My work consists of layered acrylic paintings on 6" x 8" acrylic sheets. Each panel showcases a layer of the environment, so when placed together, these panels create a complete, 3D landscape.

My series of paintings are based on my own life experiences as a Chinese immigrant. The places I paint are based on the places I have lived. From my hometown in Shanxi, China, to Ontario, Canada, I want to show the contrast between the environments in different countries. I hope to share my memories of my life and the cultures I grew up with. In this sense, I hope to bring people into the places I have lived in without having to physically visit the place themselves. I want to show viewers what it is like to live in poverty and I want to remind others to always be grateful no matter who or where you are. When I was born, my parents had left me in China with my aunt so that they could go settle in Canada. Even though I lived in poverty in China, I experienced family love from my grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Even though we were poor, I felt like everything was great because they were with me. When I moved to Canada I experienced better living conditions, but I lost the ability to spend time with my family in China as only my mom and dad immigrated with me. Thus I want people to experience my memories and experiences with me.

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting in a bedroom.

Immigrant (Grandparents house).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting in a bedroom.

Immigrant (Grandparents house).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting in a bedroom.

Immigrant (Grandparents house).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting under a tree in front of a shop.

Immigrant (Market).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting under a tree in front of a shop.

Immigrant (Market).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting under a tree in front of a shop.

Immigrant (Market).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white painting on the floor of an unfinished basement

Immigrant (Basement).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white painting on the floor of an unfinished basement

Immigrant (Basement).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white painting on the floor of an unfinished basement

Immigrant (Basement).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting in a bedroom.
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Immigrant (Grandparents house).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting in a bedroom.
2 / 9
Immigrant (Grandparents house).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting in a bedroom.
3 / 9
Immigrant (Grandparents house).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting under a tree in front of a shop.
4 / 9
Immigrant (Market).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting under a tree in front of a shop.
5 / 9
Immigrant (Market).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white sitting under a tree in front of a shop.
6 / 9
Immigrant (Market).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white painting on the floor of an unfinished basement
7 / 9
Immigrant (Basement).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white painting on the floor of an unfinished basement
8 / 9
Immigrant (Basement).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”
Painting on layers of clear plastic depicting a child outlined in white painting on the floor of an unfinished basement
9 / 9
Immigrant (Basement).2021, acrylic on acrylic sheets, 6” x 8”

Interview

What is your background? 

I am a 22-year-old Chinese Canadian citizen. In 2004, my parents and I immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. We moved from ShanXi, China, to Toronto, then to Brampton. I currently live in Waterloo, pursuing a degree in Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo. My art practices are painting and drawing. Many of my ideas and topics are inspired by my life experiences. 

How have your life experiences informed your artistic practice? 

My paintings are based on places I have lived in China when my family was in poverty. With Canada being a very different country, I wanted to show how ShanXi looks in comparison. I hope to share my memories of my own experiences and have people understand the culture that I grew up with. These experiences are very important to me as it is what made me into the person I am today. 

What does your work aim to say? 

I hope to bring people into the places I have lived in without having to physically visit the place themselves. I want to show what it is like to live in poverty and I want my pieces to remind others to always be grateful for simple, everyday blessings. When I was born, my parents had left me in China with my aunt so that they could go settle in Canada. Even though I lived in poverty in China, I experienced family love from my grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Even though we were poor I felt like everything was great because they were with me. When I moved to Canada I experienced better living conditions but lost the oppourtunities to spend time with my family in China as only my mom and dad moved with me to Canada. Thus, I want people to experience my memories and experiences with me.