Feature Fridays | Deyi Alyce Wang

In conversation with Life Drawing Coordinator Eleanor Milner

Deyi is a fourth-year student studying Art History. She lives in Arizona and has been making art for most of her life; she is hoping to complete a master’s programme in painting in London. Her work explores themes of the female identity, power relations and depictions of the female body.

Content Warning: this article mentions rape and eating disorders

Tell us about your style of art and what mediums you like to use?

 I would say that I’m definitely trying to explore other mediums all the time but right now, I'm mainly focused on oil painting and drawing. I would say that drawing and sketching is part of my research before I start a more final oil painting. I've been trying to let get more into using intaglio inks and trying printmaking but I'm having mixed results with that I think it's just because I need to familiarise myself more with the medium; that’s actually something that Ella is really good at because she pushes me to try new materials which I really appreciate.

What would you say your inspirations are and have they changed over time?

I definitely get inspired by a combination of things. I get inspired by the woman in my life primarily; I would say that I have very strong women in my life who are very supportive of me and my artistic endeavours and I'm really lucky for that. So that's kind of what I am interested in in my paintings. I'm interested in exploring gender and the ways that women’s bodies are a very physical reminder of trauma and feelings of discomfort. I do think all of the women I've talked to my life at some point in their life felt uncomfortable in their own bodies and I guess I'm trying to explore that more in my work. I would say another big inspiration of mine is looking at other artists work. I'm really inspired by artists like Sarah Slappey, Haley Josephs, Ivy Haldeman. They all make work that explores gender, body and female sexuality as something that’s not welcoming and not something you would never take visual pleasure in and I find that to be really interesting.

When and how did you become interested in art and art making?

I would say that art making has always been an interest of mine. I was pretty privileged in the fact that when I was growing up, I had a drawing and a painting tutor for most of my life – those are things I know I’m very lucky to have. But I would say that being introduced to drawing and painting at a very young age was very advantageous for me because its something I grew up with. 

At the moment I’m in the process of applying to master’s programmes in painting. Most of the people applying for these have a bachelor’s degree in fine art and I clearly don’t; I’m studying art history. Even though I’ve had a lot of formal education in drawing I feel like it’s not enough which Is why I want to do my masters. Growing up it was very technical education and technical skill only makes up what 25% of art making, I really feel like I need to be in a more creative environment where I get pushed to make better artwork. I’ve definitely been making art since a very young age.

What does creativity and art making mean do you?

I would say that for me art making is important in a few different ways. Firstly, It’s kind of a way that I work through my childhood - I don’t know the best way to put it - trauma. I feel like making art is a way for me to understand and dissect my past experiences and better understand the experiences of my friends and people that are close to me. Maybe this is just how I grew up but most of my close friends suffered heavily from eating disorders. And so that factors the idea of being hostile with your own body and not feeling like your body is a comfortable, familiar place.  For me making art is a way of trying to kind of reconcile these memories and experiences and also try to help some people who might look at my paintings and understand that I’m trying to show women’s bodies in a more accepting light, more accepting of trauma. I want people to know that its ok to not feel comfortable in your own skin.

The second reason would probably be I feel like I need to have something creative in my life. I would feel so unhappy and so bored if I went through daily life without making something! It definitely keeps me happy and sane.

How often do you make art?

Basically, every day unless I have a deadline. Normally, I try to draw or paint or do something creative every day, doesn’t necessarily need to be drawing. Even reading artist interviews with people I like or looking at online exhibitions. Even if I have a lot of work to do doing those small things brings me joy

Do you ever find it challenging to make art in St Andrews?

It’s very difficult to feel inspired in St Andrews. I’ve been pretty lucky this semester because some of my really close friends are artists as well, Ella and Lucy Robb. Having female artists around me really helps me stay on top of art making. That being said St Andrews definitely doesn’t have the culture of fine arts. You have to seek out the people, if you don’t know other people who are making art it’s hard to find the people. 

I’m from Arizona which is really sunny which means good lighting all the time. My number one struggle with working in St Andrews especially come winter time there’s the worst lighting in the world! There’s no professional studio lighting and I couldn’t rent a studio or install lights so it’s really hard.

How have you felt Covid has impacted you in terms of art making and themes?

I think Covid has positively impacted my work; I am someone who pushes themselves more under times of crisis. When I have a million things to do that’s when I thrive, I guess. Covid has made me more creative than ever and it’s given me more time to work on art. In summer normally I would be working but I was staying at home in quarantine so I had so much time to paint! For me, my art making has definitely thrived. It would be a different case if I was at art school and a part of my practise would be interaction with peers and critique – if that were the case my artwork would have suffered, but it’s not the case.

Is there anything you’re working on at the moment that’s exciting?

There are three paintings I’m working on right now. I’m interested in exploring power relations and dynamics. If you’ve heard of Leda and the swan - Zeus turns into a swan and rapes Leda. I’m interested in exploring the power dynamic of rape and power dynamics in general and ways that we can visually challenge that as female artists. I’m trying to think of ways and compositions that I can kind of twist that power dynamic and turn the tables a little bit. I’m going to continue with this project until its dead… I have a strong belief that with an idea you should run with it until you’re beating a dead horse. Until then you won’t be satisfied with that exploration. I will be continuing this for a while but of course I’m always trying to look at other things and sources of information to inspire me. I would say that art history helps my work so much; it’s really good to know about art historical traditions because every artist making work now, whether you realise it or not, you are making art within a history of making art. I think it teaches you how to think more critically about your own work especially in social contexts. I definitely don’t regret being an art history student its really helped me grow as an artist.

To view Deyi’s work, check out her art instagram @deyialycewang.

Feature Fridays, is a series led by Ananya Jain and Eleanor Milner, who are both artsoc committee members. The goal of the series is to share the stories and works of different artists and creatives in st.andrews, a town that despite its small size and population is thriving with creativity and individuals who are highly versatile and creative. If you think your creative journey is something that we should be sharing, write to us of facebook/Instagram and we’ll be in touch!