Lulu Luyao Chang (b.1996, Hyogo, Japan) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago and New York City, working in installation, sculpture, and video, exploring social norms and repressions. She holds a BA in Art History from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and an MFA from School of Visual Arts in New York.
She received the ArtTable Fellowship in 2022 and is one of the panelists of The State of LGBTQ of China organized by The China Project. Her work has been shown at Art Fair | Detroit in Detroit, Zero Art Fair in upstate NY, and Latitude Gallery, IRL Gallery, LatchKey Gallery, in New York City, just to name a few. Her video has been screened at The China Project in New York City and Aotu Space in Beijing. Her essay was published on the academic journal, World Art, and her co-authored article was published on GUERNICA. Chang’s first solo show is coming up this November at Chinese American Arts Council | Gallery 456 in NYC.
Thank you for joining us, Lulu. Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Lulu Luyao Chang, and I’m a multidisciplinary artist currently based between Chicago and New York. My practice spans a variety of mediums, including installation, sculpture, ceramics, and video. I’m particularly drawn to exploring the nuanced realities I inhabit—a world presented as a utopia but, in reality, a dystopia. My work reflects on political trauma, cultural identity, and the tension between personal experience and collective memory, often blending these heavier themes with joyful, vibrant colors and dynamic patterns to reflect the contractional and complex world as well as a world uniquely my own.
Recently, I’ve been working with clay and synthetic hair as physical embodiments of my body and environment, transforming them into conceptual pieces that provoke dialogue about the complexities of our social landscape. I hold an MFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and my projects have been exhibited at spaces including the Chinese American Arts Council | Gallery 456, Latitude Gallery, IRL Gallery, LatchKey Gallery, and Art Fair | Detroit, among others.
How does your experience living in Japan and China influence your art practice?
Living in both Japan and China has deeply influenced my art practice, particularly in how I explore identity, memory, and the impact of political systems on personal lives. Both countries have their own ways of manipulating information through state-driven narratives, which has sharpened my critical thinking and awareness of the subtle yet pervasive control governments exert over public consciousness. Growing up, I had to navigate these contrasting narratives, leading to an inherent skepticism and a constant need to question what I was taught.
One vivid memory is from this one time when my family returned to Japan, and we watched a documentary on TV from NHK about Second Sino-Japanese War. The program depicted the Japanese army rescuing an elephant from the Beijing Zoo, but we were aware of the real atrocities that occurred during that time. This stark contrast between the sanitized narrative on TV and the harsh reality I knew as a Chinese citizen made me realize how easily information can be manipulated to serve political agendas.
Another impactful moment occurred in second grade in Beijing when I studied a text called An Unforgettable Day, a story about a 10-year-old giving a computer demonstration to former president Deng Xiaoping, who was portrayed as a warm, grandfatherly figure promoting Chinese economic reform. I was shocked when my mom mentioned the 1989 Tiananmen Protest and Massacre as I was working on my school assignment, realizing that the same person behind this tragic event was being portrayed in the textbook as benevolent. This contradiction deeply affected me, and years later inspired two of my early works, An Unforgettable Day and I Love Beijing Tiananmen Square. These pieces critically engage with state power and reflect the blending of cultural perspectives that shaped my understanding of history.
This experience of straddling two cultures has shaped my approach to art. It’s not just about reflecting on personal or collective history but also about understanding how those histories are crafted. The sense of alienation I felt—first when moving from Japan to China and later when reconciling my identity—has been a recurring theme. It has left me in search of belonging, which continues to inform my practice today. In my art, I confront the dissonance between external identity and internal reality, using multiple perspectives to explore the complexities of the world I live in.
Do you have any preferred materials to work with, and why?
I really enjoy working with ceramics and clay because it brings me a sense of calm and peace. The medium allows me to explore playful and organic forms that embody pleasure, intuitive creativity, and world-building. While creating ceramics, I often think about transformation, movement, and in-between states. Most of my ceramic relief sculptures are small, akin to doodles on a note. I typically hand-model my pieces, using a spray bottle to mist the clay, which feels like watering a plant, with my finger rubbing and sculpting them like giving a massage to a body.
I also think a lot about nature, not only what we can see with our eyes but also what lies beneath a microscope, the nature in a science or biology lab. The chains of cultural identity and collective memory become transformed in this world in a freer shape, like DNA. They manifest as lassos or nets, embodying the complexities of our shared experiences.
What projects are you currently working on?
After Warmbed, I began developing a new artistic language that uses hair as a symbolic representation of both the outer and inner worlds—embodying existence as well as my own body. Hair, for me, not only symbolizes the body but also represents the unwanted or uncontrollable elements that grow in fertile environments. I’ve been exploring this concept further through clay, drawing inspiration from interactive children’s toys, and playing with the ideas of control and manipulation combined with playfulness. Currently, I’m working on small-scale ceramic wall relief sculptures and hanging installations that continue to explore these themes.
What does “community” mean to you, and how do you see yourself in a community?
To me, “community” embodies support, home, and a sense of new family. It’s a space filled with warmth, where people care for one another and offer encouragement in both personal and collective journeys. Community provides the comfort of belonging, where individuals come together to uplift each other and foster connections that feel like home and security. In a community, we build strong relationships that allow for personal and collective growth. I see myself in a community as both a contributor and a member who seeks connection—bringing my art, ideas, and experiences while also learning from others. It’s about building a place of warmth where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Do you have any advice that you would offer to others?
Absolutely! One piece of advice I often share is to trust your unique path as an artist. Art is a deeply personal expression, and your perspective is valuable. Everyone’s journey is different, and that’s what makes it special. Don’t be afraid to explore different mediums or ideas, even if they feel a bit outside your comfort zone. Keep learning, no matter where you are in your artistic journey, there’s always something new to discover. Embrace every experience, whether it’s a win or a setback. Mistakes are part of the process, and they can lead to some of your best discoveries. So, keep trying new things and let your work evolve organically. Because each one teaches you something valuable.
Additionally, built your own support system, like seek community and take care of yourself; surrounding yourself with other creatives can inspire new ideas and provide support. They can offer fresh perspectives, constructive feedback, and sometimes just the support you need to keep going. Also, make sure to take breaks, art is meant to be joyful!
text & photo courtesy of Lulu Luyao Chang
- Website: http://lululuyaochang.cargo.site/
- Instagram: @6u6usaferoom
