Delight by Jing Liu
Jing Liu was born in Beijing, China and is now living with her family in New Zealand. Ever since she was a child, she has loved drawing and painting: a state of mind that allows her to creatively express herself and communicate with the world.
Describe the inspiration behind your kiwi.
The inspiration came from a desire to create something that felt strong yet gentle at the same time. Compared to last year, I chose much bolder colours, but I wanted them to remain light and breathable in their visual feeling. A very special person from my childhood helped me come up with the name, which made the whole piece deeply personal and meaningful to me.
Describe the design process. How did your idea turn into a kiwi?
During the design process, I experienced a lot of self-doubt while choosing colours and forms. I kept wondering if the final result would turn out the way I hoped. The turning point came when that special person reminded me, “It’s a process of delightful creation, just enjoy it.” From then on, I focused on enjoying every single brushstroke rather than questioning my choices. The kiwi gradually emerged as a reflection of those moments of joy and presence throughout the painting process.
What's your favourite thing about your sculpture? What makes it super cool?
My favourite thing is that the final look truly reflects the journey of making it. Every layer and brushstroke carries the memory of delight and trust in the process. I think that philosophy—finding joy in creation rather than chasing perfection—is what makes it super cool.
Why did you say 'yes' to joining the Kiwi Art Trail?
I said yes because I wanted my artwork to have a meaningful purpose and to contribute to society. I also wanted to challenge myself by working with a new medium, acrylic on fibreglass, which is very different from my usual watercolour and rice paper. Saying yes again felt like both a continuation of last year’s journey and a step into new creative territory.
What do you like about kiwi and kiwi conservation? Why is the kiwi important to you?
I love how unique the kiwi bird is, and I deeply admire the work of kiwi conservation. The kiwi is a national icon of New Zealand, and in Māori culture it is regarded as taonga, meaning treasure. Knowing that kiwi chicks have only a 5% survival rate in the wild without human help makes conservation efforts even more important. I feel very proud to play a small part in supporting the protection of such a precious species.
Have you ever seen a kiwi?
I have never seen a kiwi in the wild, but it is something I truly hope to experience one day. I imagine it would be a very quiet, gentle, and unforgettable moment.
Why do you do what you do? What inspired you to become an artist?
I paint and practise calligraphy because they are the ways I communicate with myself and with the world. When I create, I feel completely free to express who I am. It is also a way for me to connect with my ancestors from hundreds and thousands of years ago. Their philosophy, poetry, and artworks still guide us today. When Su Shi from the Song Dynasty (about one thousand years ago) wrote in his famous poem Shui Diao Ge Tou the line “千里共婵娟,” it can be translated as “Though we are thousands of miles apart, we share the same beautiful moon.” He was looking at exactly the same moon that we are looking at now. The moon has always been there, and the emotions we feel and the appreciation we have for nature also remain the same. This timeless connection continues to inspire me to be an artist.
Find out more about Delight here.
