How London becomes a testing ground for emerging artists finding their voice

Temporary life in London can feel like living inside a sketchbook. The pages are always open, the lines still loose and nothing is fully fixed. For artists arriving from elsewhere, this in-between time is not only practical – a student visa, a degree, a first job – but emotional too: a way to test materials, identities and ways of belonging without the promise of permanence.

Three young artists – Electra Iria Ferrari, Jason Tung and Wuanny Lee – use London as a temporary studio for their ideas. Through their stories, the city emerges as both a training ground and a threshold: a place to experiment before deciding where to build a more permanent life.

Electra Iria Ferrari

“I can really feel the bourgeois influences in social and cultural values of the country.”

Electra Iria Ferrari, 20, is an artist specialising in film and audiovisual work. She describes her practice as a tool to question philosophical dilemmas, seeking questions of the future.

“I like to mix various media in my films, from stop motion and 3D animation to live-action features. I like to incorporate colourful scenes with a cinematic aesthetic. London has shown me how differently you can explore and express your art, particularly how spaces can interact with and interfere in your work, and how the audience will interpret your art even if they don’t know who you are. What I love is how this city has proven to me how wide the art world is, as there will always be someone interested in your work.”

“As an international art student, I can really feel the bourgeois influences in social and cultural values of the country. I feel that the British, in its path, used art as a form of propaganda, thus moulding a Eurocentric view towards art. I would not say British art directly influences my work, but in recent years, looking at contemporary artists like Monster Chetwynd has inspired me to go beyond my comfort zone and explore more unfamiliar materials, pushing past the limits of purely aesthetically pleasing work and exploring more of the messages and values I want to convey.”

“It would be amazing to stay in Europe once my visa expires, at the beginning of my creative career. I can see myself working with other artists and getting involved in various communities, searching for residency experiences. I also hope to improve my understanding of the creative industry and develop more skills in a different yet welcoming country.”

Jason Tung
“…how I portray the environment and communicate through the use of colours, brushstrokes and composition.”

Jason Tung, 21, is an artist who leans towards a more illustrative style. He likes to experiment with bold palettes and expressive brushwork to bring a sense of energy to his work.

“Instead of going for pure realism, I would say my style tends to be more cartoon and illustrative. My art style tends to be more colourful. Depending on the project or intention of the drawings, I will usually experiment with bold palettes and expressive brushwork to bring a sense of energy to my subjects and see how tones can shift the viewer’s mood.”

“Since living in London, there are countless museums, galleries, exhibitions, auctions, academies and even street art to take inspiration from. There are so many artworks I had never seen, where I can look at them closely and learn from their colour use, composition and details. This is something I could not get from looking at online photos.”

“I came to London because I am studying at university here. I chose to study here because I wanted to pursue an art and design career. With that, cities like London make networking and seeking opportunities easier. I personally really like old painting masters like William Turner and John Constable. They both have this ability to turn a painting into a moody, almost romantic atmosphere; it is like the image draws you inside. This style really inspires me in how I portray the environment and communicate through the use of colours, brushstrokes and composition.”

“When it comes to my future plans, I am not sure. I have not had a clear career path yet. But if I do have a stable visa and everything sorted, I am open to working in any other country: Spain, France, the United States, I do not mind, as long as there are opportunities. Of course, if there are work offers in London, I will take them as well.”

“If I had to sum up my London interlude in one sentence? ‘Damn, so difficult.’ If you prefer a more serious answer: London taught me how to observe before I learned how to paint and animate.”

Wuanny Lee

“I think I’m more into Danish design. Danish, yes.”

Wuanny Lee, 20, is a South Korean product design student living in London on a Tier 4 student visa. He is drawn to Danish design and is still exploring different styles as he defines his artistic identity.

“I’d say London has influenced my work to some extent. I admire a lot of people in the design industry, many of them based in London. Here, I get to meet and connect with people who share similar interests. One example of a designer I admire is David Lewis, who was chief design officer at Bang & Olufsen from the 1980s until his death in 2011. His work has definitely inspired me in design.”

“Another thing that stands out is the weather in London. I’m often inspired by the sound and aesthetic of rain. Sometimes I just like to sit and listen to the rain while I design my products.”

“As a product design student, I think I’m more into Danish design. Danish, yes. I like to combine wood and aluminium in the aesthetic of my work, if that makes sense.”

“Since I’m currently on a Tier 4 student visa, my time in London is limited. It depends on which company I end up working for, but I think I’ll stay in Europe after my studies. When I eventually get a job, I don’t want to work just for money, but also to gain experience. My plan is to gain at least seven years of experience so I can apply to a company I really want to work at.”

“If I had to sum up my London interlude, I’d say it’s more about meeting many people than being constantly inspired by design itself. London is a big city with many designers, and I’ve been able to meet a lot of them.”