Ange Qin
By: Regan Tam
To describe Ange as an artist in one word: dynamic. To describe them in many words: Ange Qin (they/them) is a skilled, experienced artist; a well of creative talent; an intellectual thinker who deals only in concepts and magnificence.
Think of the awe that you feel when confronted with something so much bigger than yourself. Now check this out: (more bellow
By: Regan Tam
To describe Ange as an artist in one word: dynamic. To describe them in many words: Ange Qin (they/them) is a skilled, experienced artist; a well of creative talent; an intellectual thinker who deals only in concepts and magnificence.
Think of the awe that you feel when confronted with something so much bigger than yourself. Now check this out: (more bellow
Ange grew up in “your typical first gen Chinese family”: their family lived in Beijing until Ange was in Grade 2, after which they moved to Canada. As Ange grew up, they often turned to video games as a source of distraction and entertainment. Some of these games, like Final Fantasy XIV, Shadow of the Colossus, and Bloodborne, have become major sources of inspiration for their art today. Aside from that, Ange skis, debates, plays the bass guitar, and explores museums.
Although originally influenced by impressionist artists like Monet, who they say helped them break free from the world of realism to explore and experiment with freer textures, Ange has also been immersed in the world of digital art since Grade 5. From the very beginning, they found a special connection with breathtakingly scenic, epic, and experimental concept art. Fantasy art and fantastical designs, particularly inspired by video games and literature, have helped them widen their perspective and art style even further. In recent years, Ange also works in collages, which help them improve their composition, and character design.
Like all other artists, Ange has had their different artistic phases. Making art was constantly a way for them to deal with and express tumultuous emotions, it became a creative outlet, and allowed them to explore their identity. As they put it, art became “a way of thinking about yourself without really thinking about yourself”.
In their current work, they aim for “a sense of wonder” in their work: exploring the ideas of history, nature, architecture, and philosophy, and how all of these disciplines interact. The result of the intersection of these themes are wildly fascinating and visually engaging pieces.
Ange enjoys creating works that put life and our world into perspective. It’s a comforting notion to them: in spite of everything, we are all tiny, inconsequential specks against the might of the cosmos. They say that this is also one of the reasons Shadow of the Colossus is such a major inspiration for them: it provides the juxtaposition idea that the world is big, but you can still take it on if you try hard enough.
“In my art, nothing is contemporary. Everything is based on some point in history.”
Ange uses history for their specific references: clothing from certain time periods, monuments from certain empires. History then intersects with philosophical concepts, which they like to incorporate for ideas and aesthetics. Ange is particularly interested in the ideas of transhumanism and nihilism. In their most recent portfolio, they’ve been exploring the question of abandoned places. Specifically, what happens to places once we leave them abandoned? Do they grow old the same way people do? (More Bellow)
Although originally influenced by impressionist artists like Monet, who they say helped them break free from the world of realism to explore and experiment with freer textures, Ange has also been immersed in the world of digital art since Grade 5. From the very beginning, they found a special connection with breathtakingly scenic, epic, and experimental concept art. Fantasy art and fantastical designs, particularly inspired by video games and literature, have helped them widen their perspective and art style even further. In recent years, Ange also works in collages, which help them improve their composition, and character design.
Like all other artists, Ange has had their different artistic phases. Making art was constantly a way for them to deal with and express tumultuous emotions, it became a creative outlet, and allowed them to explore their identity. As they put it, art became “a way of thinking about yourself without really thinking about yourself”.
In their current work, they aim for “a sense of wonder” in their work: exploring the ideas of history, nature, architecture, and philosophy, and how all of these disciplines interact. The result of the intersection of these themes are wildly fascinating and visually engaging pieces.
Ange enjoys creating works that put life and our world into perspective. It’s a comforting notion to them: in spite of everything, we are all tiny, inconsequential specks against the might of the cosmos. They say that this is also one of the reasons Shadow of the Colossus is such a major inspiration for them: it provides the juxtaposition idea that the world is big, but you can still take it on if you try hard enough.
“In my art, nothing is contemporary. Everything is based on some point in history.”
Ange uses history for their specific references: clothing from certain time periods, monuments from certain empires. History then intersects with philosophical concepts, which they like to incorporate for ideas and aesthetics. Ange is particularly interested in the ideas of transhumanism and nihilism. In their most recent portfolio, they’ve been exploring the question of abandoned places. Specifically, what happens to places once we leave them abandoned? Do they grow old the same way people do? (More Bellow)
Not only is art a form of expression for Ange, it’s also a means to connect with their friends and the greater art community. They also work on a lot of commissions and project pieces for school: art, for them, has taken on a more “utilitarian sense”. Despite this, they find that art has not lost its meaning. They say that even if these pieces don’t come from a deeply emotional place, they still hold immense weight and value.
Ange treats paintings as puzzles. When looking at the work of others, they enjoy looking for where the artist’s personality shines through. The material that an artist uses can give a sense of who they are, how they’re feeling, and what messages they’re trying to convey through their art. Looking for where brush strokes are most concentrated, looking for where they’re the least concentrated; even the littlest things can give a window into the artist’s mind.
“Sometimes, it’s just an expression of an emotion or something very personal.”
Ange doesn’t find art inherently political. There is, of course, often a targeted meaning—political or otherwise—present in many artists’ works; after all, Ange says, “by virtue of trying to avoid meaning, you’re putting meaning behind it.” But not every art piece is required to make a statement like this. In a highly political and very polarized society, sometimes art is “just an expression of emotion or something very personal.”
“To take something very personal and make it politicized is unfair and, at times, unnecessary.” More Bellow
Ange treats paintings as puzzles. When looking at the work of others, they enjoy looking for where the artist’s personality shines through. The material that an artist uses can give a sense of who they are, how they’re feeling, and what messages they’re trying to convey through their art. Looking for where brush strokes are most concentrated, looking for where they’re the least concentrated; even the littlest things can give a window into the artist’s mind.
“Sometimes, it’s just an expression of an emotion or something very personal.”
Ange doesn’t find art inherently political. There is, of course, often a targeted meaning—political or otherwise—present in many artists’ works; after all, Ange says, “by virtue of trying to avoid meaning, you’re putting meaning behind it.” But not every art piece is required to make a statement like this. In a highly political and very polarized society, sometimes art is “just an expression of emotion or something very personal.”
“To take something very personal and make it politicized is unfair and, at times, unnecessary.” More Bellow
Ange plans on pursuing a career in law. But that’s not to say that they won’t ever return to art, either as a pastime or as part of their career. The legal world surrounding art is growing, especially with the rise of technology like NFTs (which was a bit of a can of worms for both of us), so there’s the potential for them to tie art and law together.
And, as a few final words of wisdom:
“The world is big. Get out and see it.”
And, as a few final words of wisdom:
“The world is big. Get out and see it.”