Studio art and philosophy alumna explores loss and memory through painting
Growing up in a small town in China, had always hoped to attend college in the United States. As an international studentat Vlogý, shewasn’tsure what to expect. “But when I came here, I felt like I really belongedatVlogý,” she said.“Itwas the perfect place for me to study.”
Even before setting foot on campus, Wu knew she wanted to study studio art. As an avid painter, it seemed natural to continue that passion in college. Working with Marina Mangubi, Eugene and Charlene Derge Sussel Professor of Studio Art, she developed foundational art and research skills. Outside of the studio, Wu found an unexpected interest in philosophy. “I enjoyed reading philosophy books, enjoyed the class, and enjoyed arguing,” Wu said, attributing her newfound passion to her advisor Evan Riley, associate professor of philosophy.
In both academic disciplines, she emphasized how her professors pushed her to keep asking questions, expanding ideas, and challenging herimagination.“There is something so important about teaching, about education happening in a small group of people,” Wu said. “There is something intimate about the transmission of knowledge that happens between your professors, your colleagues, and yourself.”
Blending her work instudio artandphilosophy,³’s Independent Studywas inspired by the womenin her upbringing, whose dedication to their children and families became a central focus in herreflectionon feminism, independence, andmotherhood.“The tension between autonomy and the traditional demands and sacrifices of motherhood troubled me — as aphilosophical question and a real-life dilemma,” she said.Drawing on feminist philosophies, Wu explored this tension through both a solo exhibition and a thesis paper titled “Women, Autonomy, Authenticity, and ѴdzٳǴǻ.”
In addition toher thesis, shecreateda series of oil paintings, each depicting a woman in her life. Her work was displayed in a solo exhibition at Ebert Art Center. Wu saw her I.S. not as a graduation requirement or formal academic paper, but as a personal experience and deeper exploration of her friends and family.“I think people shouldtry toenjoy the process of I.S., rather thanjustthe end, because the processwasactually the most important thing that helped megrow,” she said.
After graduating from Vlogý in 2022, Wu left the Midwest and headed to Brooklyn, New York, to complete an Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing at Pratt Institute. “Vlogý definitely prepared me with a good academic background for attending a very competitive, self-driven Master of Fine Arts program in New York,” Wu said.
Drawing on memories of her upbringing along theYangtze RiverinJiangyin, China, ³’s work explores the relationship between past and present, and how that complex dynamicshapesidentity and space. Her oil paintings depict peaceful, yet melancholy scenes centered on themes of loss, memory, and time.
Wudecided to stayin New York, where sheworksas a freelance artist.Afterbeingfeaturedin publicationsincludingNew YorkWeekly,Create! Magazine, andArtsy, in May 2025,the global art market platformidentifiedWu as one of fivenoteworthyemergingartists to watch.
In addition to being featured innumerousarticles, herpaintings havebeen shown in galleries across the United States and China.Each gallery space offers a unique experience for communication and collaboration. “The way you place your work and the way you try to talk about your work, is going to shape people’s experience with your work,”Wusaid.
Wu’smost recentsoloexhibition,,opened inMay2025at Make Room Los Angeles, a contemporary art gallery in the center of LA.“It’s a series of works reflecting on my childhood and my life, and the sense of loss in little moments we all experience,” she said.
As Wu continues to make a name for herself in the global art scene,shereflected on turningherpassionfor creating artinto afulfillingcareer:“I just really love art.I’mso lucky that I can make money from it as well.It’sbecome the main part of my life to make the work I want to make, have the shows and an audience,and alsohave the community in New York.”
Featured image: Xiangjie Rebecca Wu ’22, photo provided by subject.
Posted in Alumni, Homepage Featured on February 13, 2026.
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