Artist Spotlight: Joyce Li
- visualvokeart
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Meet the Artist:
Joyce Li
Art is my voice, a way to weave stories, connect hearts, and express what words alone cannot.
My name is Joyce, I’m 19, and I’m from Hong Kong, currently studying business and law at university. Though my academic path leans toward law, art has been a constant passion since childhood, a steadfast companion that has shaped who I am today. Through it, I channel my thoughts and emotions, drawing from the world around me to create something that heals me and bridges me to others.
Art has always been a powerful medium for me to express my thoughts, weaving together the stories and emotions I’ve encountered in the world around me. It serves as both a self-healing process and a bridge to connect with others. As an advocate for societal issues—a passion that ultimately guided me to pursue law, my paintings have consistently drawn inspiration from my observations, especially the challenges I’ve noticed and yearn to address. Through my work, I strive to give voice to these concerns, fostering connection and sparking influence.
At 17, 18, or 19, the challenges around me often feel overwhelming, too vast, too distant, as if they’re beyond my ability to influence or change. And in many ways, that’s true, young people like me may lack the power to shape policies directly. Yet through art, I believe we can create awareness and amplify the issues we care about, even with limited means. Art transcends barriers. Its visual language—whether through striking paintings, evocative visuals, or hyper-realistic depictions—invites people to connect, reflect, and empathize. By framing societal problems in ways that resonate emotionally, art can elevate overlooked struggles, offering a kind of clarity that feels almost divine. It’s not about having authority; it’s about sparking dialogue, provoking thought, and inspiring others to see the world differently. Even without traditional power, art reminds us that our voices matter.
My work confronts urgent societal themes, from Hong Kong’s housing inequities—including the stigma surrounding subdivided flats—to the toxic grip of unrealistic beauty standards. Through vivid, realistic paintings, I strive not only to expose these injustices but to ignite hope. By rendering intimate portraits of marginalized lives and systemic struggles, I aim to forge visceral connections with viewers, urging them to reflect, empathize, and ultimately engage with these issues as catalysts for change. Art, for me, is a bridge between observation and action, a tool to amplify silenced voices and reimagine a more equitable world.
Currently pursuing a degree in Law and Business, I’ve grappled with the question of whether to integrate art into my professional future. Art to me has always been a cherished passion—a space for joy and creative freedom. Yet, the idea of transforming it into a career, where it risks being dissected, graded, or judged through a rigid lens, fills me with unease. To safeguard the purity of my relationship with art, to ensure it remains a source of inspiration rather than obligation, I’ve chosen to nurture it as a lifelong hobby and creative sanctuary, separate from my career in law and business. This way, art stays rooted in its essence, a medium of self-expression, resilience, and unconditional joy. I trust this balance will not only sustain my passion but accompany and enrich my journey ahead, reminding me that purpose can thrive in both professional rigor and creative freedom.
Art is my refuge, a quiet companion that grounds me. While I pursue a career in law and business, I’ll keep painting, as it’s my truest friend. Through it, I’ll continue to speak my mind, forge connections, and hold fast to the belief that purpose thrives in both discipline and creativity.
Check out @joysvitae and @joycezli_ on Instagram for more!
Comments