ARTHAGS spotlight: Jacqueline Wu explores Reflections of Self, Humanity, Colour, Light, Shade

We are thrilled to present a new artist in our showcased indie artist series, #ARTHAGS – discover the work of Jacqueline Wu.

Jacqueline Wu is an artist from Long Island, New York. She has also won art competitions and awards, such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She is forthcoming in Teenmind, ReadThis, and Celebrating Art. Jacqueline enjoys painting, drawing, writing, and playing the viola, and she hopes to continue to inspire and empower through her words.

Choose 3-5 pieces you really like…

I’ve picked pieces that really capture the themes I’m working with…

Reflection of Self

In times of crisis and strife, we need to take time to really reflect on our inner self in order to muster the courage and strength to hang on. We can then learn about ourselves to develop a stronger mental mindset for the present and future so that we can support each other. I created and picked this piece because I wanted to bare my inner reflection and self and show that it’s ok to not be okay. More than ever before, we need to be able to express our innermost thoughts and emotions in order to create a happier, more connected world with less judgement and more love and empathy.

Colors of Daily Life

I created and picked this piece because it represents the many colors found in everyday life. The colors of the rainbow provide the rich tones of life, the warm and cool energies that sprinkle our world with creativity and joy. Colors provide more than just aesthetic appeal, however; colors actually affect how our mind perceives the world around us. Different colors embody our many emotions, whether it is red for love and passion, or green for new beginnings. Color is everywhere, and it represents the innate passion and deep richness through which we live life every day.

Light and Shadow

I created and picked this piece because it shows the yin and yang between light and shadow, neutral and and dark, and night and day. The fascinating interplay of light and shadow inspired me to paint this. Bright light, illuminating certain areas of the painting, creates excitement and emphasis, strengthened by the juxtaposition with darker, more mysterious areas in the shadows. This dynamic can make ordinary things intriguing or dramatic and reveal beautiful things in an unexpected way. In the same way, light can always be found in the darkness, and darkness can always be found in light. It all really depends on your personal perspectives and kaleidoscope through which you view life.

What has your artist’s journey been like so far?

I started taking private art lessons ever since I was in primary school. Even before that, I was fascinated at the sheer power of art to bring both light and shadow into our lives. I view art as the mirror through which should reflect society, one that emphasizes what is important at that moment in time. It is my voice in a time when certain voices are repressed and ignored. I mainly use oil paint as my go to medium, though I also experiment with watercolor and pencil.

What kinds of themes do you work with?

In my work, I focus on many themes concerning the complex facets of the human condition, in the hopes that I can accurately convey different perspectives and shed light on important topics. This does shift over time as I continue to discover more about what I really want and what the meaning of art and life is to me.

Some of the themes I explore include mental health, society at large, emotionality, and the interplay of the concepts of life and death/mortality in our lives. My ultimate wish is to be able to inspire at least one person through my work to discover something new about human nature and themselves

What are your thoughts on art’s place in society?

To me, art is the mirror through which should reflect society, one that emphasizes what is important at that moment in time. It is our voices in a time when certain voices are repressed and ignored. It is also how we can express ourselves without having to face the advent of judgement for our opinions and views and how we can say what we want to say.