By: Elena Mart
From June 28 to July 3, 2025, at the “True Self” thematic exhibition held at THE BLANC Art Space, Chinese emerging textile artist Peiyang Li captured the attention of the audience with her notable ecological art creations. The exhibition, organized by independent curator Ziying Gai, was an interdisciplinary artistic event focused on exploring identity, vulnerability, and self-reconstruction in the era of performance, providing a platform to showcase a variety of voices and life experiences. Ziying Gai expressed deep honor in witnessing Peiyang Li’s artistic growth and unique vision during the exhibition, and offered support for her artistic pursuits and ongoing creative journey. The exhibition also launched an art business incubation program aimed at supporting emerging artists and creative entrepreneurs. Through mentorship, financial support, and development planning, the program helps them align their artistic vision with business success.
As an active artist in both Shenzhen and New York, Peiyang Li is making significant contributions to contemporary Chinese art on the global stage with her distinctive textile art language. She was awarded the French Fashion Awards for her “Live Sashimi x Aqin” (Fresh Sushi) series, a prestigious international event recognizing fashion creations and marketing narratives worldwide, and aimed at discovering extraordinary talents who inspire bold dressing, dreaming, and design. Peiyang Li’s creation concept of “blending fashion art with ecological warnings” earned high praise from the jury, earning her the “Special Recognition of the Year” title, a symbol of recognition for creativity and innovation in the fashion world.
Peiyang Li’s creative inspiration stems from the in-depth research conducted by Chinese nuclear radiation experts before the Fukushima nuclear disaster. She combines traditional textile craftsmanship with modern cutting-edge technology to create a series of visually striking installation artworks. In the “True Self” exhibition, the “Nuclear Waste · Mutated Creatures” series—particularly the “Medusa Octopus” piece—was particularly engaging. This work uses wool yarn, metal wire, and other materials, combined with 3D printing technology, to create a striking representation of a mutated marine creature. It invites viewers to explore humanity’s deep fear of the unknown and the potential chain reactions that human behavior may trigger in the ecosystem. Many of Peiyang Li’s designs are inspired by meaningful stories collected during professional astrology consultations, drawing influence from both Eastern and Western philosophical thoughts. She excels in using diverse textile art techniques to convey delicate narratives that provoke thoughtful reflection on ethical issues, especially those societal topics that, though ever-present around us, are often left unspoken.
It is worth mentioning that Peiyang Li has consistently prioritized ecological principles in her material choices, using a large amount of recycled fibers, natural dyes, and other environmentally friendly materials in her creations. She believes that art should not come at the expense of the environment, and each thread she uses reflects a sense of reverence for nature and a pursuit of sustainable development. This approach of integrating environmental practices into artistic creation adds depth and warmth to her works while also offering a valuable example of how contemporary art can respond to ecological issues.
The new works exhibited continue to reflect her consistent artistic style, deeply exploring the potential impact of nuclear pollution on the marine ecosystem and prompting viewers to reflect more deeply on human behavior. This series of works is not only a captivating display of fashion aesthetics but also a thought-provoking artistic creation designed to spark meaningful discussions, challenge traditional ideas, and encourage people to think deeply about the complex and subtle connections that bind all life together. At the exhibition, Peiyang Li explained the thoughts behind her creations to the audience: “I hope to lead people to reassess and reflect on the profound relationship between humans and nature through the soft yet resilient medium of textile art. Every knot, every weave, contains the unspoken subtle connections and far-reaching significance within the ecosystem.”
