Manyao Li

About

I am Manyao Li, born in China, in 1992. I graduated from the Digital Media Art Design program at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts in 2014 and spent six years working as a user experience designer. This experience sparked my interest in various artistic mediums. My current work encompasses performance art, fashion design, and experience design, aiming to establish deep connections with the audience and explore the interactions and resonances between individuals and society through art.

The inspiration for my project comes from my recent divorce. During that time, I believed I had a perfect intimate relationship and marriage as if living in a utopia carefully crafted by my husband. However, everything collapsed when he suddenly announced our divorce, leaving me standing in ruins, unable to escape the chaos. In reflecting on the pain and fear brought about by the breakdown of my marriage, I realized that these emotions stemmed from the fear of the unknown future, the fear of breaking out of my comfort zone, and the fear of societal stereotypes and limitations imposed on women.

I have deeply explored and documented my emotional trajectory through installation art, experimental video, and fashion design, distilling these elements into the “Love’s Utopian Trap” art series. This series is not only my emotional diary but also a medium that inspires reflection and emotional healing in the audience. In the creative process, my deliberate traces of destruction and modular recomposition symbolize the challenges and transcendence of unpredictable events and traditional concepts in life. Through these multi-layered artistic expressions, I hope to connect with the audience, especially those women who may have experienced similar situations, in finding an outlet in the emotional whirlpool and establishing a profound emotional resonance. My work is not only an expression of emotion but also an invitation to the audience, encouraging them to explore the deconstruction and reconstruction of personal and collective emotions with me on this artistic journey. In this process, the audience is not only the receiver of the artwork but also a participant, seeking healing and inspiration through artistic interaction, making art a bridge for communication and understanding between us.

Instagram @mmanyao.li

Email mmanyaoli@163.com