Yulin Yuan, an interdisciplinary artist with a focus on collage, video, and photography, navigates the complex terrain of identity, displacement, and personal narratives. Born in China and raised in South Africa, Yuan’s work offers a multifaceted exploration of these themes, deconstructing intimate spaces and experiences through her immigrant lens and deep engagement with cultural mythologies. Yuan’s thesis project K(now) W(here), completed as part of her MFA at James Madison University (Spring 2024), examines assimilation and authenticity by blending Chinese mythology with domestic objects, photography, and digital media. 

Yuan’s interdisciplinary approach is evident in her ability to merge different mediums—whether it is the ephemeral quality of video, the tangible nature of collage, or the dynamic expressiveness of photography. Her work reveals layers of personal history, family connections, and the broader immigrant experience, all while engaging with the cultural dynamics of both her birth and host country. By interlacing these elements, Yuan challenges conventional views of identity, prompting viewers to reflect on how individual and collective experiences shape our sense of self.

Unpacking the Layers of Identity Through Art

Yulin Yuan’s artistic journey began in South Africa, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Cape Town. Her work reflects the rich cultural intersections she experienced growing up in a country with a complex history of racial and social dynamics. Yuan’s art is informed by her experiences as an immigrant, shaped by cultural displacement, and enriched by her ability to navigate different cultural identities. Her pieces often explore themes of transformation, identity shifts, and the fluidity of belonging.

Yuan’s exhibitions, such as “Metamorphosis” (2023)and “Egg of Chaos” (2022), talked about personal change and the chaos inherent in shifting between cultural spaces. These works deconstruct intimate moments and spaces, using visual storytelling to connect personal experiences to broader social and cultural themes. 

The concept of home is central to Yuan’s work.  She explores the fluidity of what home means for someone who has lived across continents. By combining photography, video, and performance, she questions the concept of belonging, examining how a home can be simultaneously physical and emotional, constant yet ever-changing. In her photography series, she walked into the homes of others and created work on the spot, the construction of her work is oddly intimate and slightly intrusive, this process is a performative act of identity reconstruction.  This approach encapsulates Yuan’s experience of being caught between different worlds—both geographically and emotionally—while questioning the stability of a singular identity.

The Role of Immigrant Experiences in Yuan’s Art

As an artist, Yuan’s practice is heavily influenced by her 1.5-generation immigrant experiences. These experiences, marked by both the memory of her birthplace and the realities of adapting to new environments, provide the foundation for much of her artistic exploration. She often deconstructs her own narrative, using art as a means to reflect on her journey from China to South Africa and, eventually, to the United States. Her interdisciplinary work creates a dialogue around the concept of displacement—how it affects identity, relationships, and one’s sense of community. By addressing the specific challenges of navigating multiple cultural spaces, Yuan’s art speaks to the unique experience of the 1.5-generation immigrant, whose identity is shaped by both heritage and adaptation.

She exhibited internationally and brought the conversation to different audiences In these shows, her work draws attention to the shared experiences of immigrants and how cultural narratives are carried across borders. Audiences with different backgrounds focus on different elements of Yuan’s work, in this process also generates a broader conversation of identity construction.

Artistic Process: Bridging Personal and Cultural Narratives

At the heart of Yulin Yuan’s artistic practice is the act of storytelling—both personal and collective. Through her chosen mediums, she constructs visual narratives that invite viewers to engage with the process of identity formation. Her use of collage/assemblage, for example, allows her to physically layer images and materials, formatting layers of personal and cultural history into one narrative. This technique is not only a visual metaphor for the multifaceted nature of identity but also a way to question and reimagine traditional narratives.

In her video work, Yuan uses montage and image–layering to reconstruct memories and explore the idea of glitching within digital spaces. These clips and layered images serve as a pocket of identity reformation, and the constant back and forth between reality and the space of in-between. 

Her teaching experience further informs her work. As an instructor at James Madison University, Yuan teaches courses in digital photography, drawing, and 2D, guiding students through their explorations of visual storytelling and creative expression. Her role as an educator deepens her understanding of cultural differences and similarities, helping her research and creative development.

Cultural Narratives Without Borders

Yuan’s work transcends borders, drawing on a wide range of cultural influences from South Africa and China. While her pieces are deeply personal, they engage with themes of displacement, identity, and belonging, making them relevant to audiences from different cultural backgrounds. 

Her ability to engage with multiple cultural identities through her art has earned her recognition, including the prestigious 2024–2025 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Professional Fellowship. Yuan’s work speaks to the universal human experience of navigating multiple identities and finding meaning in spaces of transition.

Reflection on Yulin Yuan’s Artistic Contribution

Yulin Yuan’s interdisciplinary art practice offers a thoughtful exploration of identity, displacement, and personal history. Through her use of collage/assemblage, video, and photography, Yuan constructs narratives that are derived from personal but connected to many.

As her career continues to evolve, Yulin Yuan remains an emerging voice in contemporary art. Her work is not just a commentary on identity; it is an exploration of how we come to understand ourselves in an ever-changing world.

For more about Yulin Yuan and her upcoming projects, visit her website here or follow her on Instagram @yulin_one.

Published by: Khy Talara