Andy Li is a Boston based artist who focuses on the power of the now. His work is a reflection of the day-to-day mundane, and the moments of greatness that we perceive in an instant. Always trying to adapt and evolve, his work and his personal attitude is the visual exploration of the phrase “you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”
For more information, please see: www.radandyli.com and on Instagram @radandyli.
Andy Li, Studio Self-Portrait Right After Finishing Text For Interview, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist.
First, and most importantly, how are you doing? How are you navigating the highs and lows?
So far, so good. I’m doing the best I can and taking it one day at a time. These past few months have been unavoidably surreal. Like when I leave my apartment, I get a feeling that I’m doing something wrong, and even though I know that I’m taking all the necessary precautions, I still feel guilty. Some days I just can't shake that feeling, ya know what I mean? But I’ve been learning to navigate through the highs and lows by finding all the controllables in my life. Start with the small tasks and gradually work your way up. All day, every day.
Checking social media and seeing everyone really dive into their work, I felt that I was not properly taking advantage of this time and I would be missing out! I got caught up in that shame spiral in the beginning. I learned that the weight of those expectations has serious potential to crush your spirits quickly. So now I try to hype myself up as much as possible. When I’m able to, I make a piece and that’s great! But if I don’t, I know that tomorrow is a new day with its own potential so I’m putting my mental health first and that is just as great!
Andy Li, The Best Life, 2019. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, The Flourishing, 2019. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
It's my experience that most artists engage with some level of self-isolation in their day to day art practice. Has this been your experience? And if so, have you found these innate rhythms to be helpful during this larger, world-wide experience of isolation?
Oh definitely! Isolation is very much involved with the process. Even when you share a space with someone, you still calibrate yourself into that mindset. I’m very fortunate to be sharing a space with one of my best friends, Brandon Kirk, who just gets it. We both come and go as we please, respect each other’s boundaries, AND we like the same music! That all adds up to a comfortable setting where we can thrive in our own process.
While I was at home, it was difficult for me to feel those rhythms. As hard as I tried, I could not find the motivation to produce or even think about work. It was kind of like writers block or a creative burnout. Looking back at those early days, I now realize that I was not mentally prepared to be working in a setting that had been designated as a place of rest and I was not prepared to be around people, even my girlfriend, Chelsea Lyons Teta (who by the way is a fantastic painter), all day! It was a constant struggle. I expect a lot from myself so having to essentially slam the brakes was an intense experience. But I appreciate that time, it helped me become more aware of who I am and how I affect those around me. I am now trying to incorporate those frequencies into my new rhythm.
Andy Li, The Day Job, 2019. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, The Better, 2019. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
It would be great if you could briefly talk us through your practice. Understanding it is integral to appreciating the multivalence of your work.
I am an embroidery artist who makes text banners to communicate as directly as possible. Most of my work derives from relatability, and although we may not all share the same experiences, I try to find the essence of those moments so that we can find the similarities. I want to believe that my practice starts with a reaction, develops from curiosity, and actualizes through reflection. There’s a running theme of being human, a mantra of being, “human on inside, human on the outside” because that is the core experience we are all going through.
Andy Li, The Worth, 2017. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, The Long Time, 2017. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Has any of your imagery shifted in a reflection to what's currently happening? And why, or why not?
Actually, yes! Since going back to the studio I’ve loosened up a bit. The text style I’m starting to work with is a less structured, but more expressive and involved process. I think that taking the time to reflect on myself and really noticing the impact I have on others more deeply has led me to being more expressive from my core. The realization that time is a constant and we are the ones that change around it has helped me feel more free as an artist and a person.
Li’s newest experimentation. Image courtesy of the artist.
Are you thinking differently? Coping differently? Inspired differently?
I think a lot about what it means to be heard, so I’ve been looking for a louder voice. While we were all cooped up and quarantining I found that my work has always been using an “indoor” voice. With that realization, I’ve started using new techniques and approaches to help find and define the potential of my “outdoor” voice. It feels pretty good. There’s less structure, less expectations, and it’s more expressive than analytical.
Andy Li, The Direct, 2018. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
What is bringing you solace, or even joy, in this moment?
I try to compliment and say hello to as many people as I can in a day, especially since there are no real social interactions going on and we are social beings. You can really brighten someone’s whole day through one easy interaction. Also seeing and hearing about people finding their own happiness and confidence through small achievements. Went outside to the mailbox? Hell yeah! Tried a harder yoga class? You fucking rock! Reached out to a friend? That’s what’s up! These baby steps show me that progress is being made to heal and rebuild the mental health of the community.
Andy Li, The Growth, 2017. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, The Dreams, 2019. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
What research or writing are you doing that you find compelling?
I’ve been really into vases, not even reading about them or understanding the significance of them, just Googling vases. I’ve been free-associating them with ourselves and imagining the flowers we place in them as emotions, events, or anything that help define us. I think that it is a timeless act, to take some natural beauty and hold onto them for what short time they last and really try to enjoy their presence. So I guess what I’ve actually been researching and observing is presence.
Andy Li, The Dead Flowers, 2019. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Are you reading anything?
Honestly, I haven’t read that much during this time, I finally read through Ram Dass’ Be Here Now and that was pretty cool. When I decided I was going to just take the time off I said, ”fuck it, I’m going to stay inside and play video games like I did as a kid”. And it was great! It was nice to have a visually engaging distraction from the news and my phone.
Andy Li, The Want, 2018. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, The Totally, 2020. Polyester Embroidery Thread and Brass Grommets on Marine Flag Nylon. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, That New New, 2020. Polyester Embroidery Thread, Brass Grommets, Crayon, and Marine Flag Nylon on Canvas. Image courtesy of the artist.
Andy Li, That New New (verso), 2020. Polyester Embroidery Thread, Brass Grommets, Crayon, and Marine Flag Nylon on Canvas. Image courtesy of the artist.