The deeper I dig into the area, the more interested I become

"I’m interested in the intersection of Art and Technology, specifically focusing on interactive new media art.
When I was born, my grandfather was just about to retire. He started to spend more time with oil painting, classic Chinese painting, Chinese root carving, and shufa—a type of calligraphy art using Chinese characters. I was so lucky to have the chance to sit by his side and  watch him work when I was young. His passion for art deeply inspired me, and it sparked my own love for classical art.
I obtained my BA degree in Art History. I was mainly focused on classic artists, particularly Dutch Golden Age oil paintings, and art history, like global trade and how Chinese export porcelain made its way to Western countries, and how art became a part of people’s daily lives, appearing in their homes. And when Dutch oil painters started making portraits or landscapes, you’d often see Chinese porcelain somewhere in their paintings. I became really interested in how this happened, how world trade influenced daily life, and how art made its way into people’s homes.
The master’s programme I’m studying is focused on culture and aesthetics. Sometimes, what we learn isn’t just about looking at the art itself, but also understanding the trends, the stories behind the art, and the broader lessons art can teach us.
 
During my junior year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Venice Biennale. It was in 2019, and I spent a whole month there, working as an exhibition host. I soaked myself in contemporary arts in the exhibitions in different pavilions a that ignited a passion for curating in me. And the deeper I dig into the area, the more interested I become.
In our study programme, we have the opportunity to curate an exhibition in collaboration with Fine art students. We have mentors guiding us, but for the most part, we manage things ourselves, and it’s a really nice way to try things out without fear of failure. And I think that’s important because you need to develop this kind of confidence if you want to succeed."

Ruoxi Gao

To learn more about the master's programme, see International Master's Program in Curating, including Art, Management and Law.

Visit su.se/study for more information about studying at Stockholm University.