Interview: Sean Leow on Where to Find Creativity in China [Images] | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Arts
    • Arts & Culture
      • Film
      • Literature
      • Performing Arts
    • Asia Society Museum
      • Visit
      • Exhibitions
      • Programs
      • Collection
      • Asia Society Triennial
      • The Asia Arts and Museum Network
    • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
      • About
      • Honorees
      • Ceremonies
      • Photos
      • Support
    • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
      • Resources
      • Exhibitions
      • Videos
  • Education
    • Chinese Language Learning
    • Global Education
    • Discover Asia
    • About
  • Policy
    • Asia Society Policy Institute
      • Center for China Analysis
      • Topics
      • Countries & Regions
      • Publications
      • Initiatives
      • Watch & Listen
      • Events
      • About
      • Support Us
    • Center on U.S.-China Relations
      • Home
      • About
      • Projects
      • Events
      • Reports
      • COAL + ICE
    • ChinaFile
      • Reporting & Opinion
      • Conversation
      • Library
      • Multimedia
  • Initiatives
    • Arts
      • Arts & Museum Summit
      • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
      • The Asia Arts & Museum Network
      • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
      • U.S.-China Museum Summit
      • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
    • Leadership
      • Asia Game Changer Awards
      • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
      • Diversity Leadership Initiatives
      • U.S.-China Dialogue
    • Policy
      • Asia Society Policy Institute
      • Center on U.S.-China Relations
    • Sustainability
      • Coal + Ice
  • Countries & Regions
    • Column One
      • Afghanistan
      • American Samoa
      • Armenia
      • Australia
      • Azerbaijan
      • Bahrain
      • Bangladesh
      • Bhutan
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Central Asia
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cyprus
      • East Asia
      • East Timor
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Georgia
      • Guam
    • Column Two
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Israel
      • Japan
      • Jordan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kiribati
      • Kuwait
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Laos
      • Lebanon
      • Macau
      • Malaysia
      • Maldives
      • Marshall Islands
      • Micronesia
      • Mongolia
    • Column Three
      • Myanmar
      • Nauru
      • Nepal
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
      • Niue
      • North Korea
      • Northern Marianas
      • Oceania
      • Oman
      • Pakistan
      • Palau
      • Palestine
      • Papua New Guinea
      • Philippines
      • Qatar
      • Samoa
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • Solomon Islands
    • Column Four
      • South Asia
      • Southeast Asia
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Tajikistan
      • Thailand
      • Tibet
      • Tokelau
      • Tonga
      • Turkey
      • Turkmenistan
      • Tuvalu
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Uzbekistan
      • Vanuatu
      • Vietnam
      • Wallis and Futuna
      • West Asia
      • Yemen
  • Current Affairs
    • Topics
      • Business
      • Climate Change
      • Governance
    • Programming
      • Beyond the Headlines
      • Business of Asia
    • Center on U.S.-China Relations
      • Home
      • About
      • Projects
      • Reports
      • Past Events
    • ChinaFile
      • Reporting & Opinion
      • Conversation
      • Library
      • Multimedia
  • Look & Listen
    • Asia Society Magazine
    • ChinaFile
    • Podcasts
    • Video Gallery
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
  • Visit
    • Visit Us
      • Hong Kong
      • New York
      • Texas
    • Global Network
      • Australia
      • France
      • India
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Northern California
      • Philippines
      • Seattle
      • Southern California
      • Switzerland
      • Washington, D.C.
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • What We Do
    • Inclusion & Diversity
    • Background & History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Senior Leadership
    • Global Staff
    • Global Council
    • Careers
    • Interns and Volunteers
    • Financial Statements
    • For the Media
      • Press Releases
  • Support
    • The Campaign for Asia Society
    • Corporate Engagement
      • Business Council
      • Technology and Innovation Council
      • Global Talent and Diversity Council
      • Rising Executives Network
      • Enhancements to Membership
      • Corporate Membership
      • Global Corporate Leaders
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Donor Privacy Statement
ASIABLOG
Subscribe
Search
  • Arts
    • Arts & Culture
      • Film
      • Literature
      • Performing Arts
    • Asia Society Museum
      • Visit
      • Exhibitions
      • Programs
      • Collection
      • Asia Society Triennial
      • The Asia Arts and Museum Network
    • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
      • About
      • Honorees
      • Ceremonies
      • Photos
      • Support
    • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
      • Resources
      • Exhibitions
      • Videos
  • Education
    • Chinese Language Learning
    • Global Education
    • Discover Asia
    • About
  • Policy
    • Asia Society Policy Institute
      • Center for China Analysis
      • Topics
      • Countries & Regions
      • Publications
      • Initiatives
      • Watch & Listen
      • Events
      • About
      • Support Us
    • Center on U.S.-China Relations
      • Home
      • About
      • Projects
      • Events
      • Reports
      • COAL + ICE
    • ChinaFile
      • Reporting & Opinion
      • Conversation
      • Library
      • Multimedia
  • Initiatives
    • Arts
      • Arts & Museum Summit
      • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
      • The Asia Arts & Museum Network
      • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
      • U.S.-China Museum Summit
      • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
    • Leadership
      • Asia Game Changer Awards
      • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
      • Diversity Leadership Initiatives
      • U.S.-China Dialogue
    • Policy
      • Asia Society Policy Institute
      • Center on U.S.-China Relations
    • Sustainability
      • Coal + Ice
  • Countries & Regions
    • Column One
      • Afghanistan
      • American Samoa
      • Armenia
      • Australia
      • Azerbaijan
      • Bahrain
      • Bangladesh
      • Bhutan
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
      • Central Asia
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cyprus
      • East Asia
      • East Timor
      • Fiji
      • French Polynesia
      • Georgia
      • Guam
    • Column Two
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Israel
      • Japan
      • Jordan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kiribati
      • Kuwait
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Laos
      • Lebanon
      • Macau
      • Malaysia
      • Maldives
      • Marshall Islands
      • Micronesia
      • Mongolia
    • Column Three
      • Myanmar
      • Nauru
      • Nepal
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
      • Niue
      • North Korea
      • Northern Marianas
      • Oceania
      • Oman
      • Pakistan
      • Palau
      • Palestine
      • Papua New Guinea
      • Philippines
      • Qatar
      • Samoa
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • Solomon Islands
    • Column Four
      • South Asia
      • Southeast Asia
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Tajikistan
      • Thailand
      • Tibet
      • Tokelau
      • Tonga
      • Turkey
      • Turkmenistan
      • Tuvalu
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Uzbekistan
      • Vanuatu
      • Vietnam
      • Wallis and Futuna
      • West Asia
      • Yemen
  • Current Affairs
    • Topics
      • Business
      • Climate Change
      • Governance
    • Programming
      • Beyond the Headlines
      • Business of Asia
    • Center on U.S.-China Relations
      • Home
      • About
      • Projects
      • Reports
      • Past Events
    • ChinaFile
      • Reporting & Opinion
      • Conversation
      • Library
      • Multimedia
  • Look & Listen
    • Asia Society Magazine
    • ChinaFile
    • Podcasts
    • Video Gallery
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
  • Visit
    • Visit Us
      • Hong Kong
      • New York
      • Texas
    • Global Network
      • Australia
      • France
      • India
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Northern California
      • Philippines
      • Seattle
      • Southern California
      • Switzerland
      • Washington, D.C.
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • What We Do
    • Inclusion & Diversity
    • Background & History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Senior Leadership
    • Global Staff
    • Global Council
    • Careers
    • Interns and Volunteers
    • Financial Statements
    • For the Media
      • Press Releases
  • Support
    • The Campaign for Asia Society
    • Corporate Engagement
      • Business Council
      • Technology and Innovation Council
      • Global Talent and Diversity Council
      • Rising Executives Network
      • Enhancements to Membership
      • Corporate Membership
      • Global Corporate Leaders
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Donor Privacy Statement

Interview: Sean Leow on Where to Find Creativity in China [Images]

March 8th, 2012
"Dream (梦想)" by Wang2Mu
"Shanghai Rabbit Year" by Nini Sum
"Untitled" by Niu Xiaosheng
"Untitled" by i am white
"plum blossoms" by sail
"Untitled" by Honghua
"Breakthrough" by Calvin Ho
"Shanghai Basketball: ’80s - Present" by Xiao Longhua for Nike
Facial tissue packaging by Momoyoca for May Flower
"Make the Present Exceptional" by Hurricane and Tin.g for Absolut Vodka
"Beijing" by Nod Young for Nike
Enlarge Hide captions

When Sean Leow founded Neocha in 2007, the website served as a social network of sorts for young Chinese creative people. Since then, it has grown into NeochaEDGE, a Shanghai-based web-magazine and creative agency that helps young artists in China produce work for brands and agencies throughout the world. More information about NeochaEDGE can be found here.

Leow will be giving a multimedia presentation on China's creative scene at Asia Society New York on March 9 at 8:00 pm. The event will also feature a performance by the Shanghai Restoration Project — a musical group featuring pianist David Liang, vocalist Zhang Le and electronic musician Jamahl Richardson — that draws its inspiration from the sounds of 1930s Shanghai jazz clubs. The evening will begin with a free tour of Sarah Sze's exhibition Infinite Line at 7:30 pm, and be followed by a reception. Can't make it to the event? Tune into AsiaSociety.org/Live at 8:00 pm ET for a free live video webcast.

Asia Blog spoke to Leow via email.

Sean Leow
Sean Leow

Some suggest China lags behind other countries in terms of creative output. Where does this reputation come from? And do you think it is deserved?

This is largely a result of China's reputation as a manufacturing base producing knock-off goods, which in many industries is well documented and valid. This reputation is most pronounced with products that we typically think of being the most creative, like luxury bags or the iPhone, which has many copycat versions in China.

Creative output covers such a wide range that it's difficult to make generalizations, but I would say in the areas of commercial artwork or "low-brow art" that we are involved in, China's reputation is not deserved. Our work and the content that we cover in our web-magazine hopefully speak for themselves and I typically like to show examples and let people judge for themselves. [Editor's note: See the gallery above for some of Sean's favorite work from young Chinese creatives, including some of their collaborations with NeochaEDGE.]

What are the biggest challenges facing young creative people in China today? And how do they negotiate these challenges? How are people creating in today's China?

The biggest challenge for these individuals is finding and developing a career in the creative industries. Many creatives can't support themselves financially through creative work, so they inevitably take other jobs and never have the opportunity to fully realize their potential.

The creative industry is very nascent in China and while it's growing quickly, it still lacks a lot of the infrastructure you see in other countries. Working as a freelance creative is pretty much a brand new concept in China and as a result, young creative people don't know how to make money off their talent and conversely, most brands don't know how to work with talented creatives. On top of this, mainstream media doesn't pay much attention to creative culture, which limits the avenues for creatives to get their work seen, so the internet becomes the main channel for promotion.

What role do you think the internet — especially social media — has played in spurring creativity among China's youth? To what extent does online censorship hinder creative output?

It's been a game-changer and plays an enormous role in China's creative culture as the preferred channel for both consumption and sharing of creative content. Its effect can be seen everywhere: access to foreign inspiration, online collaboration of creative work, sales through online channels, etc.

We don't run into online censorship, but again, most of the content we create or see is not politically controversial to start with. Most of the censorship you hear of in the creative world is directed at fine arts and in film-making. 

What has been the Chinese government's role in promoting creativity amongst young people? And are young Chinese artists politically aware?

In general, I think the government has been a positive force in promoting creativity through the establishment of creative industry zones and exhibitions, emphasizing creative industry specializations in universities, and the Shanghai government even named us as one of the top representatives of creative industry. As China inevitably transitions away from a manufacturing-based economy, the government knows that the creative industry must play a bigger role, so it makes sense that the government would support it. But in general, a lot of the creative organizations operate outside the purview of the government and largely are commercial and entrepreneurial in nature.

I find that most young Chinese people in general are not interested in politics. While you may see more political commentary among fine artists (e.g. Ai Weiwei), the artists that we work for are more focused on developing their talent and career in a positive manner, rather than challenging the political establishment (which, for the most part, has done a good job in increasing their standard of living for the past 25-30 years).

Your Asia Society presentation will focus on a trend in Chinese visual art called "neo-traditionalism." What is this? Why do you think it appeals to young Chinese artists?

"Neo-traditionalism" is the reinterpretation of traditional Chinese imagery, stories and influences, often combined with modern styles.

As China's international stature has risen in recent years, we've seen young Chinese creatives increasingly confident in drawing from China's rich cultural history and remixing that with modern influences. It has also proved to appeal among Chinese consumers so commercial brands are grabbing on to it. Not to mention, we personally really like this style and use it as a criteria for choosing members of the creative collective we manage.

art
china
creativity
interviews
neochaedge
photos
sean leow
shanghai
shanghai restoration project
asiablog
east asia

About the Author

Profile picture for user Hanqing Chen
Hanqing is a reporter for Asia Blog. She is currently studying journalism and anthropology at New York University.
 @HanqingC
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Seattle
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Education
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
. Asia Society Twitter Account . Asia Society Instagram Account . Asia Society Facebook Account . Asia Society LinkedIn Account . Asia Society YouTube Account
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Seattle
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC