Artist in conversation: Xijun Liao
“ Feedback is one of the most vital things for my practice because the voice from the audiences is the key for my design works.”
Xijun Liao is a versatile textile artist known for his expertise in fashion design, textile artistry, and embroidery craftsmanship. In this captivating project "Passion Upgrades," Xijun delved into the intricate world of football culture through the art of weaving and embroidery. Recognising football as more than just a sport but a rich tapestry of passion, identity, and community, Xijun centered his work around The North London Derby. Drawing inspiration from the chants echoing in the stadium, he meticulously designed woven fabrics that encapsulated the essence of fan fervor. Through intricate embroidery, Xijun brought to life different moments, showcasing the stunning passion exuded by supporters in a visually engaging manner.
Using techniques delevoped while stuyding MA Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts in this project, Xijun previously featured his unique style through a the project “Materiality - The Northern Nomad: Desertification in Inner Mongolia” - featured below - undertaken during his participation in the BFA Fashion Design Program. Both these projects combined in his recent work, highlight the power of textiles in building communities and environments.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
When I was 16 years old, I was attracted by various fashion photography artists. Starting from then, I begin to practice and develop my own artistic styles on fashion and textile design. The interest and passion for stitching technique drives my art practice in the past few years. Combining the stitching and embroidery techniques with colorful images to create strong visual effects has gradually become my focus and style.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a new project?
I tend to get inspired by something that have connections with me. So every time when starting a new project, I would think about the bigger picture and how various elements can come together harmoniously. Experimenting with different color palettes is definitely the next step.
What initially drew you to explore football culture through weaving and embroidery?
Weaving and embroidery are two of the most common and basic textile techniques that can be seen on football merchandises, especially football shirts. But most of them are a bit basic and cliche for me. It was fun to practice diverse weaving and embroidery designs based on football teams and their supporter communities.
Can you tell us about a project that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?
The project that I am displaying at The Holy Art Gallery is challenging at the beginning of the process. Fandom is one of the best things in football industry, and it is quite difficult to visualize it by weaving and embroidery because there are so many ways of how the fans cheer up their team. So I still have to do a lot of research about the football culture even though I have been watching European football since I was 8 years old.
Can you share a particular project that stands out to you and explain the creative process behind it?
I want to share one of the ongoing projects that I am working on, which is about making customized colorful puffer jacket for teams and players in the football industry. It takes time to research and decide the most representative image/visual for every team/player because there are a lot of amazing representations for them such as the stadiums, the winning moments…After deciding which image to work on, I will start to depict it with the most diverse and attractive colors because I want to showcase the inclusivity and identity behind each story.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
Feedback is one of the most vital things for my practice because the voice from the audiences is the key for my design works. I always reach out for critical feedback during the process and make sure the final piece is not 100% subjective. It is important to keep my artistic style but at the same time, participation matters. I would love to partially include useful feedback on my creative output.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
It is all about exploring. Learning a new skill or technique can be invigorating. Whether it’s a new fabric manipulation method or a digital design tool, expanding my skill set keeps my work fresh and exciting.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
It is a great pleasure to exhibit my artwork with The Holy Art Gallery, and I would love to expand more connections with fashion/textile/sports industry with this amazing platform.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
As a fashion brand owner, it is my dream to make more people get to know my brand and my artistic practices. Rome was not built in a day. Looking for more and more connections with my developed artwork pieces is what I am planning to do.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
Emotion serves as both a source of inspiration and a guiding principle throughout the design journey. I aim to create designs that resonate with people on a personal level. By understanding my audience and what emotions resonate with them, I can tailor my designs to forge a stronger emotional connection.
