Artist Interview: Shuangyizhen Hu

Artist Shuangyizhen Hu, Master’s in Illustration from Art University Bournemouth, hails from Huaihua, Hunan Province, China.

In addition to being an artist, she is also an art teacher and a freelance illustrator.

She actively participates in art exhibitions and has published works in Chinese magazines. Her interests lie in creating children’s picture books, illustrations, and printmaking. Nature and society are her favorite themes to explore in her work.

Her creative inspiration is a blend of Chinese and British cultures and experiences, drawn from what she encounters during her travels—sketches of everyday environments, people, events, and spaces.

She creates sequential artworks for young audiences, telling simple stories that reflect both the real world and the inner self. She enjoys working with hand-drawn illustrations, mixed media, and printmaking.

Born into an art-rich family, Shuangyizhen Hu grew up with a love for reading art books, which encouraged her to pursue art school. This expanded her exploration into different fields of art, with her creations benefiting from early exposure to various art books, graphic novels, and picture books, as well as the influence of the art courses she studied.

As a contemporary artist, she believes it’s essential to reflect the times in addition to expressing oneself. With an artist’s keen observation and creative drive, she uses her work to metaphorically address social issues, focusing on cultural, societal, and transformative challenges.

An artist must not only express personal thoughts but also actively question and explore the connection between humans and nature.

The artist views “Natural Utopia” as a refuge for temporarily escaping the anxieties of daily life. She strives to create an imagined world where nature, water, and human life are harmoniously intertwined. Her goal is to create serene, pure environments that evoke deep emotions in the audience, immersing them in a peaceful, utopian experience. She aims to let viewers experience moments of tranquility and beauty.

Art-related Honors and Awards

• 2019: The work Through was featured in the 13th National Art Exhibition and Hunan Province Excellent Works Exhibition.
• 2020: The work Floating was exhibited in the Hunan Province Watercolor Exhibition.
• 2024: The work Floating was selected for the Emerging Artist Exhibition in the Art Collision series.
• 2024: The work Spring Valley was included in the Barbagelate Foundation Spring Exhibition.
• 2024: Three of her works were shortlisted for the ArtChannel 2024 Figurative Art Exhibition.
• 2024: The work Jellyfish Sea was featured in the Omi Museum’s Art Therapy Exhibition.
• 2024: The work Floating was selected for the final list in the Prisma Art Prize exhibition.