Yu Cheng
Tracing Light and Time Through Art
For Yu Cheng, art was never a career in the family, but it was always present. As a child, they spent hours trying to copy cartoon animals from a book, often failing. Then, in a quiet yet transformative moment, their grandmother—whom they had never seen draw before—picked up a pencil and sketched a perfect goose in a single, fluid line. That effortless gesture sparked something deep within Cheng, a realization that artistry could exist in the everyday.
Their grandfather, a railway worker, kept sketchbooks filled with self-portraits and objects from life. Though his job had nothing to do with art, his quiet passion for drawing left an impression, reinforcing that creativity doesn’t need permission to exist. These early influences led Cheng to pursue their own artistic path, eventually earning an MFA in Studio Art from SMFA at Tufts University in 2024. The program gave them the space to explore, refine their vision, and cultivate the artistic voice that continues to shape their work today.
Exploration, Growth, and the Red Chair
For Cheng, experimenting with different mediums is essential. Though oil painting is their primary form of expression, they also work with acrylic, graphite, ceramics, and metal—crafting jewelry as a personal pursuit. Their work often revolves around recurring themes, most notably light and shadow and their Red Chair series, which reflect personal growth and shifting perspectives on the world.
Deeply inspired by Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, and Winslow Homer, Cheng connects with their ability to capture stillness, time, and an unspoken emotional depth. These influences subtly shape Cheng’s own compositions, where light plays a central role—not just illuminating space, but creating tension between what is seen and what remains in shadow.
A Process of Discovery
Cheng’s creative process starts with a fleeting observation—a shadow on a wall, the way light filters through a window—which they capture in quick notes and sketches. From there, the real work begins: layering, refining, painting over, and reworking a piece until it feels right. They believe in the philosophy that "the work will guide you," and their process often involves multiple revisions before a piece reaches its final form.
This was especially true for Art Studio, a painting they first completed in 2023. Though it looked finished, something about it felt unresolved. A year later, with new experience and fresh perspective, they repainted it from scratch. This time, it clicked. The experience reinforced Cheng’s belief that artistic growth happens not in achieving immediate perfection, but in revisiting and learning from past attempts.
Hidden Details and Timeless Meaning
Though Cheng’s paintings often convey a tranquil atmosphere, they embed hidden details throughout their work, inviting the viewer to look deeper. For them, art is a dialogue between artist and audience—one that continues beyond the moment of creation. "We give life to our work, but it is the audience who nurtures it," Cheng reflects.
Their definition of success is not about trends or fleeting recognition, but about creating art that endures—work that, like the great masters, continues to speak to people long after its time. In a world filled with external pressures, they trust their own artistic roots to guide them through.
Embracing Chaos and Moving Forward
Rather than trying to force balance between life and art, Cheng has learned to embrace the unpredictability of the creative process. Early in their career, they sought control, only to find that it led to frustration. Now, they let go, trusting that inspiration will arrive when it’s meant to.
Looking ahead, Cheng is working on a portrait series of artists in their studios, exploring the intimate relationship between creator and space. They are also continuing their studies of light and shadow, refining their visual language to create deeper, more immersive work.
Their advice to aspiring artists?
"Let go of the need to control everything. Move with life instead of against it. The answers you’re looking for will come when you’re ready to see them."
