epilogue. – Qinwu (Oliver) Pan

Email: qinwupan@gmail.com

Oliver Pan is a fourth-year student at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Fine Arts Studio Practice and minoring in Digital Arts Communication. In his work, he combines his interests in fine arts with digital media design. These shaped his current career path in the global digital marketing and strategic communication industries. In the future, he plans to further explore his fine arts interests, while working in the communication and digital art business.

Artist Statement

My works consist of various realms and materials in photography, painting, sculpture, collage, and installation. The conceptual spine is narrative. My personal reflections are based on emotionally-weighted experiences and observations from life. My art is inspired by how I accept the burden of self-dependence and responsibility for living and studying outside of my country. I left China at fourteen years old and started my academic journey. I had fears, anxieties, and insecurities that made me uncomfortable. I want to share how I fight negativities and anxieties to build a stronger mentality. My art is primarily about my personal reflections based on emotionally-weighted experiences and observations from life.

Interview Questions

What aspects of your life inspire your art?

I always love to explore different media in creating arts, and communicate my ideas by making creative arts. I enjoy photography, playing the violin in my spare time, and making clay crafts. Through experiencing various mediums, I started wanting to explore my collage skills. Making collages is such a satisfying experience, and they can create vast possibilities.

What are your preferred mediums and why are you drawn to them?

My works consist of various realms and materials including photography, painting, sculpture and collage. After trying different materials and techniques, I have found I prefer mixed-media collage because it allows me to experiment with various materials and has no limits to what I can use. In the process of experimenting with mixed-media collages, I constantly discover new techniques and materials that help me express my narratives.

Where do you see yourself in the future? How do you see your art practice evolving?

Upon graduation, I would like to join a global marketing and communication company. I will start as an account executive, responsible for defining clients’ advertising and promotional campaigns requirements. Three to five years later, I hope to be promoted as a global account director, taking charge of international advertising marketing research and strategy formulation. My Fine Arts major and Digital Arts Communication minor equipped me with creative mindsets, digital media techniques, art direction, and project management skills. Last summer, I attended various design projects and branding management and advertising internships.

What do you want people to know about you as an artist?

I enjoy the process of creating mixed-media works, especially the details. I believe that each little detail is responsible for the final look. My works are based on my personal emotions, and I wish to convey my feelings to the viewers and hopefully create a connection. My collages are formed with a variety of materials with photos being the most used medium simply because I love photography.

What is the most significant thing you will take away from your Fine Arts studies?

I developed the ability to be able to discover aesthetics in everything. This allows me to have a sensitive mind when producing creative projects. Throughout my undergrad study as a Fine Arts major student, I also realized the importance of critiques. Group critiques enlarge my perspective of making art from seeing others’ works, and self-evaluations are a rational way to assess my work quality and acknowledge my weaknesses and strengths.