Yan An
Yan An’s journey as a poet and language artist began in an unlikely setting—a remote village in Northern Shaanxi Province, where his parents and grandparents were illiterate farmers. "The rural areas in Northwestern China were very destitute in the 1960s and such an environment certainly didn’t value literature, art, or writing," Yan An recalls. Yet, this wild environment, with its close connection to the earth, nature, and the starry sky, became the backdrop for his early creative stirrings. "It was Hometown’s primitiveness that protected my pure passion for and obsession with nature," he reflects, recalling how he would sit alone on a mountaintop, watching the clouds.
Yan An’s interest in reading and writing began early, spurred by circumstances that took him away from his village. At the age of six, he was fostered by his aunt in Xining Cotton Mill, Qinghai, where he attended primary school. "Every day after school, I would go to the mill’s employee reading room," he says. Initially seeking warmth by the fire, he soon found himself drawn to the publications available there, from newspapers to works by Tolstoy, Chekhov, and other great writers. "When I graduated from primary school, I felt that reading had completely changed me into a different person," he shares, noting how this transformation set him on the path to becoming a language artist.
The Influence of Formal Education
Yan An’s formal education in language and literature further shaped his work, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of both Chinese and world literature. "This cumulative education cultivated in me a sense of humankind that transcends the limitations of nations, races, and civilizations," he explains. For Yan An, the fundamental value of art lies in conveying human love equally to all, regardless of background or status. "As a language artist in today’s era of humanization and globalization, I write not for any country but for the whole world, the entire humankind," he asserts.
While poetry is Yan An’s main endeavor, his creative journey extends across genres. "Besides poetry, I write cross-genre essays on thoughts and poetics, as well as novels," he says. This exploration allows him to maintain a deep connection with both the living and poetic aspects of reality. His novels, experimental in both language and genre, further sharpen his ability to observe and express the world around him. "In my opinion, poetry is a kind of artistic creation using language as its material, and is a separate category from literature," he adds, emphasizing the distinct nature of poetic expression.
Themes of Humanity and Compassion
Yan An’s work is deeply rooted in themes of humanity, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all people. "All my works are themed around humans—people in different civilizations, different cultural backgrounds, different space-time dimensions," he explains. Whether depicting the lives of those affected by conflict, affluence, or suffering, Yan An’s art is a call for mutual respect, understanding, and love. "Earth is a planet that has gone through numerous vicissitudes, and it is not easy for it to create us and carry us, so we have to cherish it!" he urges.
Yan An’s creative process is anything but routine. "Poetry writing is a kind of opening of language and imagination at lightning speed, by lightning-like inspiration," he says. This spontaneous and sudden birth of a poem can occur anywhere—on the street, during a trip, or in a dream. For Yan An, poetry is the art of catching lightning with bare hands, a powerful metaphor for the fleeting nature of inspiration and the poet’s role in capturing it.
When faced with creative blocks, Yan An sees these periods as opportunities for growth and reflection. "The period of low inspiration and decadence is exactly the best state to accumulate breakthrough energy," he explains. He likens an artist’s journey to that of a river, full of twists and turns, never running straight into the ocean.
Reflections on Success and Collaboration
For Yan An, success as an artist is not measured by fame or fortune but by the pursuit of perfection. "A great artist should never be exploited or maneuvered by any realistic fame or fortune," he states. Instead, the focus should be on the continuous quest for artistic excellence.
When it comes to collaboration, Yan An views artistic creation as a solitary endeavor. "Artistic creation is the work in which an artist grapples with God and time alone," he says, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of his work.
While Yan An is always working on new projects, he prefers to keep the specifics a secret. "Artistic creation is a kind of secret and God’s design, so it should not be divulged in advance," he explains. For Yan An, the process of creation is sacred, and revealing it prematurely would be a disservice to the art itself.
Yan An’s journey as a poet and language artist is one of profound connection to the human experience. Through his work, he continues to explore the depths of humanity, nature, and the cosmos, offering readers a glimpse into the universal truths that bind us all.
