Anita graduated from BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins in 2001.
Since graduating, Anita has worked as an Educator, Design Consultant and Linguistic Translator, and is now a Professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Anita has exhibited at Daffy’s, London Arena, Hong Kong City Hall and throughout galleries and Universities in the United States.
What was the most important thing you were taught while studying at UAL?
The most important thing I learned while studying at UAL is conceptual thinking and research strategies, which played a big role in my career as an educator and an artist.
How do you think your time at UAL has impacted your life and work?
My time at UAL has impacted my life and work on many levels, especially in my career as a Professor. As an educator, I was also able to bring to my classroom a broader range of research methods and introduce young minds to overseas art and design, which I believe is important as our world is getting smaller and smaller.
The knowledge I gained from both Eastern and Western Culture is still playing a key role in my art creation.
You have had a very interesting career since graduating – can you talk us through your journey from graduation to where you are now?
I continued my art and design study in the U.S. after graduating from UAL, gaining an MFA and MA in Digital Photography and Digital Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art, where I later became a Professor. Since then I have been awarded with their Teaching Excellence Honour.
In 2009, I was awarded first place for my wall art by retailer Design Within Reach at the Philadelphia Design Awards.
I have also served as a reviewer and guest speaker at events chaired by Film and Television Director Bob Giraldi, who is best known as the writer and director of the music video “Beat It” by Michael Jackson.
Most recently, my works have been featured in magazines such as the NY Arts, Funny or Die and Nee Hao.
I am passionate about different Cultures and traditions as an artist, particularly Modern Chinese arts. My current goal as an artist is to promote the practice of Guo hua and Calligraphy with a modern art approach.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I believe in my ability to do greater things and I’m still working hard to achieve a lot more in life. The proudest moment of my career so far is perhaps receiving the Teaching Excellence honour as a Professor. The applause of my students makes me happy and what they go on and achieve in their careers makes me proud.
Where do you find inspiration today?
I find inspiration in both nature and the Internet. As an artist, I want to keep my mind open to both real and virtual worlds and ensure my research is open to eastern and western art and designs. It is important to me that I network, meet friends with different cultural backgrounds and remain open minded in art and design practices.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to work as a full time artist and perhaps open my own painting school one day, as both creating art and inspiring the younger generations of artist and designers are my biggest passions in life.
See Anita’s current projects here