East Asian Studies MA student
My name is Elaine (Ling Yining 凌艺宁), and I’m honored to be joining the M.A. program at Duke University. I graduated from the University of Washington with a major in Visual Arts (IVA) and a minor in Marketing. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I’ve been especially interested in East Asian visual culture—particularly how traditional aesthetics continue to shape and inspire contemporary art practices. My academic and creative work often explores the relationship between material culture and identity, with a special focus on Chinese folk art and craft traditions.
During college, I co-founded Oriental Ling Gallery, an online platform dedicated to showcasing traditional Chinese art forms such as Miao embroidery, ceramics, and ink painting. I also curated an installation art exhibition at school centered on themes of flowers, nature, and Asian culture. These projects helped me better understand the role of curatorial practice in cross-cultural communication. In addition, I interned at Tang Contemporary Art in Beijing, where I supported the planning and execution of two exhibitions—an experience that deepened my interest in the dynamics between institutions, artists, and audiences.
Academically, I’m interested in how East Asian folk traditions, rituals, and narrative forms are being reimagined in contemporary art. I hope to use my time at APSI to expand my interdisciplinary approach, drawing from art history,anthropology, and visual culture studies. I’m also committed to making scholarly research accessible to broader publics and believe in the power of art to connect people across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Outside of my academic work, I enjoy playing the flute, running, practicing yoga,and spending quiet time in nature through meditation. These activities keep me grounded and constantly fuel my creative process. I see art not only as a product of culture, but also as something that grows out of everyday experience and embodied perception.