Nina Lu: Meet the Artist
What's uppp. I'm Nina Lu (卢妮娜), a muralist, illustrator and graphic designer. My work begins with words, and ends at the intersection of environmental studies and the visual arts. We live with an increasingly global embrace of digital spheres; consequently, I seek to preserve the analog way of design - the meditative value of touching and creating with my hands. Working with artists of color and in urban spaces is also close to my heart. I'm currently based in Brooklyn ( where I am studying Illustration), but born in Kunming and raised in GR.
Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?
A: First saw L&R going to high school every morning up the street. Had the honor of getting to know the team through the Windows GR project in June 2020. That hot sun and united purpose was magic. Since then, I've been painting walls everywhere I can. The walls in GR are a special sort of home.
Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?
A: My work is as much an exploration as it is a reflection of those thoughts of 'sublime' that circulate in my head. That's where my writing begins - often showing up in the form of poetry. I visualize those words. Often, I make work relating to ecology, philosophy, spirituality and environmental studies; from data visualization to a coming to terms with the weight of the climate crisis. I see this not only as a meditative process for myself, but a missing emotional link between data and people. There is a certain power in art & design to make research accessible and emotive in a way it is otherwise not.
Windows GR 2020
Q: Run us through your creative process - How do you start, flow and finish?
A: I've come to realize that I begin and end with silence. It's akin to sitting with the trees. I think of the 'process' as "slipping into my hands." I let myself become transparent and work as if I am nameless, formless and with no audience. Sometimes I find myself trying to avoid the "middle," where everything I am making is dissatisfying. But beginning with the intention to avoid this mess of an "in-between" never produces good work. When I intend to be fully aware, and little else, the work is fulfilling from start to finish.
Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face through your creative process
A: Ah, I'm quite young so it is easy to say that this is the most forgiving time for exploration and mistakes, but in reality navigating a non-corporate, artist-by-trade world is challenging even at this stage. Leaving behind thoughts of comparison, judgement and identity when working is difficult, with that weight of financial stability and family duty ever-present. Within the world of design specifically, it can often feel like I am running out of time. Pushing limits and finding meaningful intention can easily take a back burner to "getting it done," or "appealing to a client." I'm working on that balance between resistance and reality.
Q: Can you share a little more about how your art career started. Have you always been in your field? Were you self taught or had additional schooling?
A: I remember drawing and making since I was in the single digit age-range. I sort of wake up everyday and feel that I need to create. I saw and copied and learned autonomously until I graduated high school. I'm privileged to be studying under a variety of art/design mentors now in university. As for a career, I've been working 'professionally' in the last two years due to the guidance and support of the GR and BK communities.
Q: Who/what are your biggest inspirations that play a key role in the work you produce?
A: I have to cite this blue dot that we all live and breathe on as my primary inspiration. I might have thought a year or so ago that this only meant the trees and lakes that I know so fondly, but I've come to recognize the urban landscape as ripe for 'natural' observation as well. From the patterns on tree bark to the weeds in the sidewalk cracks, this Earth is generous in its complexity of forms with which to recreate and reshape. I need to also cite my parents as the people who remind me to breathe. Their sacrifice and story informs everything I create. The blood that runs through me, and the land I stand upon are forms of unconditional love that I hope to spill into my work.
Squibb at Downtown Market
Q: Is there anything you wish you could change about your work?
A: Oh man, that's a tough one. I think there's a lot, but to dwell on it seems to bind my hands. I only hate my marks when they are not free.
Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them? What are you trying to get better at?
A: Pushing myself to burnout, probably. I'm trying not to view the creative process on a continuum of "failure" to "success." Basically, I think I need to chill more and let the work sit. Somedays, I have no capacity to pick up the pencil and I'm working on being more honest with myself about that.
Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?
A: 100%. I feel blessed to have wandered into such a family-like group of artists. Especially thankful for the artists of color that consistently show up for each other. Lots of love, GR.
Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself
A: Probably driving a giant construction lift down Division with paint all over me.
Q: What's most important to you about what you create, and how it impacts others?
A: Ending up with something that feels true to what is spinning around up in my head, but also abstract enough to share with others that feeling with which I created the thing.
Q: What's next? What are you currently focusing on or looking forward to?
A: Hopefully you'll see me around GR and BK with some more paint on walls this summer! Beginning to look into ecological research both formally and as a backpacker/explorer to inform my thesis. Also getting into book design and poetry more!
Q: What does being an artist mean to you? What is the function of artists in society?
A: Artists make tangible that altered consciousness for which words are not sufficient.
Q: And of course, if you could chose any vehicle to travel, real or imaginary what would it be?
A: floating weightless on icemelt as it runs over rocks through the woods.
Follow more of Nina’s work on ninalu.work and instagram.com/nin.alu
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