Originally from Hong Kong, Vivian graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 2012, majoring in Studio Arts and Economics, and pursued a career in art. "I turned down an offer to do law and decided to do economics and art, as I figured I was still studying and I should try to be creative while I still can, and how amazing it would be if my whole life consisted of thinking in colors and shapes," says Vivian. She swiftly made a name for herself as an oil painter and illustrator with a penchant for a nonconformist, rebellious style that doesn't tick the boxes.

Many art critics in Hong Kong have described Vivian as an important new generation artist for the city. She has held several exhibitions, building a reputation for imagination and sharp insight, with depictions of ordinary people in city life, creating a romantic, almost cinematic vision of life.

Her recent exhibition, 'Wish You Were Here' features 12 illustrations with surreal illustrations in vivid colors that merge the fantasy worlds with the familiarity of a Hong Kong environment, that are playful and evoke memories, hopes and dreams. The works have been building buzz around the city.

Showing her business savvy, Vivian also decided to pursue an MBA from HKUST. "I was hitting a bottle neck and wanted some more commercial skills. I was visiting a friend at HKUST and I thought it was very beautiful, so that kind of sealed the deal for me. HKUST was going to be the destination," says Vivian.

The skills she learnt proved to be very complementary with her art career, and made her appreciate the career she had built in art, even if it involved the trials and tribulations of attempting to be an artist, when so many people fail. For now, Vivian's career is on the up and up. The MBA helped her gain confidence, more negotiation skills, and allowed her to navigate the complexities of the art world. 

The world is now Vivian's oyster, and she is ready to move her career onwards and upwards. "Medium should not be a boundary for what I can try," she says. “I like high quality paint but I can also use primary school kids' crayons to do something," she says. 

Know more about Vivian's story from Alumni Newsletter Summer 2021