Ling Pui Sze
Ling is an Intellectual Forum Visiting Scholar.
Ling Pui Sze is an artist who works at the intersection of science and art. With a focus on experimental ink and collage, she incorporates images of nature captured by a range of instruments, including microscopes and satellites. Over the past decade, Ling's work has been inspired by biological cells, including her own body cells and x-rays. Her creative expression takes the form of printing, tearing, and shading microscopic images of cells, then piecing together the treated fragments using her intuitive understanding of nature. By collaging different types of paper and adjusting digital images through computer and inkjet printers, Ling creates textured artworks that evoke incidental organic forms, resembling the evolution of life and the creation of an alternate world on canvas. Ling also engages with other mediums such as sculpture, video, and installation. Through her artistic practice, Ling examines the relationship between biological traits and the intricacies of human experience.
Ling's work is included in the collections of the M+ Museum for Visual Culture and the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford. In 2012, Ling received the Wucius Wong Creative Ink Painting Award, and in 2023, she received an Honourable Mention for the Liu Kuo-sung Ink Art Award.
What are you working on now?
In terms of conceptualization, both the changes in nature and scientific research serve as my sources of inspiration. The interactions and forms of living organisms are areas of great interest for me to explore. As for the materials used in my artwork, I am also experimenting with different types of paper. The composition, texture, and absorbency of the paper contribute to unique visual effects in my collage pieces.
How has your career to date led to this?
I have been fortunate to encounter many friends who are willing to understand and encourage me, as well as galleries and curators who have helped promote my work. They have provided significant support for my artistic creations. In the beginning, I drew inspiration for using cellular imagery in my artwork from my university friends who were majoring in biochemistry. Through continuous exploration of different mediums and techniques, I gradually developed my artistic language. I also hope to meet more scientists at Cambridge University and learn about their research, in order to further promote the exchange between science and art.
What one thing would you most want someone to learn from what you’ve done or are doing now?
With the rapid advancement of technology, our perception of nature has also changed. Through different lenses, we now witness clearer images of the natural world, leading to different understandings and experiences of the universe. As an artist of this era, I aspire to utilize the technological instruments available to us to showcase our unique perspectives and insights into nature. I believe there is an inherent connection and mutual influence between art and science, culture and technology. Through my artwork, I strive to integrate these domains, highlighting the commonalities and interactions between them. The imagery in my work is derived from authentic visuals of nature, aiming to evoke a sense of the essence and beauty of the natural world for the audience to experience.
What do you think of Jesus College and the Intellectual Forum?
I often wish to meet people from different fields, as exchanging ideas with them often gives me new perspectives and benefits me greatly. Jesus College is a place filled with artistic vibes, and the Intellectual Forum provides an excellent platform for interdisciplinary discussions. I am honored to be a part of the Intellectual Forum, and I look forward to the possibility of future collaborations.
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