Describing her as someone who “translated her memories and cultural heritage into installations and performances that speak to universal threads of humanity,” the Dallas Morning News selected Beili Liu, UT professor of studio art (sculpture & extended media), as a nominee for Texan of the Year on Dec. 18. She also received the Art League Houston’s 2024 Texas Artist of the Year award. The recognition resulted in Liu’s solo exhibition and monograph in Houston. Liu discussed her recent accomplishments with The Daily Texan after almost 20 years of teaching at UT.
The Daily Texan: First, can you tell me about winning the Art League Houston award?
Beili Liu: It’s especially meaningful because I’m a transplant to Texas. I came to Texas in 2008 when I started teaching at UT. My job at UT brought my family and (me) to Texas. To be recognized for my creative work by the state and arts community — it was really a wonderful encouragement (and) recognition.
DT: What did it feel like to hear that you were nominated for the Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year?
BL: When the Dallas Morning News reached out to me, I thought it was just an interview — maybe an interest in the exhibition or the award given by Art League Houston. … As a first-generation immigrant, I’m beyond grateful to have this opportunity to communicate, to share what I do representing UT and to feel (welcomed). I’ve been calling Texas home for the last 17 years … I’m very proud, pleased and grateful.
DT: The Dallas Morning News described your accomplishments and ability to create art that transcends cultural and language differences as the reason they chose you to be a finalist. What do you think about that?
BL: That sounds really wonderful. My work investigates cultural experiences. It starts from the cultural memory I had growing up in China. I immigrated to the United States in my early 20s, gained my degrees, went through education and then teaching. … It means a lot that the work is (communicated) with different audiences. … It’s what I hope my work (will) do. It’s wonderful that (was a) quality that they valued.
DT: How does it feel to be teaching at UT for almost two decades?BL: There (is) always more to learn. I learn from my students and as an artist. What I (learn) comes back into the classroom. … My travel (and) my research from far away places … feeds my teaching. It (was) exciting to come here as a younger junior faculty in something I was interested in. I’m a senior faculty now, but I’m developing new classes. I just started a fibers course — fiber art and soft sculpture — and that is wonderful. It is something I’ve been wanting to do for many years now. … I brought what I learned from Indigenous artisans in the Arctic back into my classroom. It’s a wonderful way of keeping myself accountable as an artist and keeping teaching a meaningful and inspiring profession.
