Clara Lieu is a working artist and also participates in tutoring and encouragement of art and artists. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD - pronounced RIZ-dee), and has lectured at many similar institutions. Lieu is involved in various art projects and she has travelled presenting workshops in China and Canada. She has also curated art collections for exhibitions featuring known and student artists, and written articles and columns for publications such as The New York Times and The Huffington Post.

One of Lieu's main projects is Art Prof, which she founded and now runs with along with producers and directors Thomas Lerra and Alex Hart. Art Prof offers free learning resources to anyone interested in developing their artistic skills, or learning more about technique and different mediums and styles. Subjects are diverse and cover illustration, painting, sculpture, performance art, animation and film-making - which are all taught in a way that's similar to tuition in a college or an art class, and include lectures and live streams. The project is funded by sponsors, donations, paid critiques for submitted work, and a store offering promotional items. Art Prof offers support and advice for all levels including professional artists and those considering a course or further learning.

Lieu's own website includes drawings created during trips with some of the Art Prof tutors. Sketches and drawings depict cultural scenes in China and Taiwan which encapsulate a sensitivity in terms of subjects and the aspects selected.

Lieu's own work is a contrast to her tutoring role. Her professional work is more personal and reflective of her own life and experiences. Drawing, printmaking, collage and sculpture are her main disciplines and her themes often consider emotion and state of mind. She sometimes cuts or rips her works to add a further dimension. Her exhibited work includes collections of fine art with themes such as the series 'Falling' (2010) which focuses on anxiety, frustration and depression with close-up studies of the face and the contortions of emotion drawn in black and white, or displayed as prints of sculptures that were lit for dramatic effect and photographed. The previous series entitled 'Wading' (2009) explored loneliness and moments of the isolated self with silhouettes and faceless figures wading in water which are drawn and printed onto a translucent surface.

Clara Lieu is currently active with Art Prof and a lot of video material is available through the website and Youtube channel. She is active online and news can be found through her Twitter and Instagram accounts. Lieu has her own website featuring examples of her works, and she has published books and essays covering her own art, and practical guides to creating and teaching art.

By Matt Sheen October MMXX - See video playlist for references

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