Lydia Nong (b. 2001) was raised in Iowa, where she also received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University in 2023. The following year, Iowa State University sponsored her artist residency at Mainframe Studios in Des Moines, where she now has a permanent studio. Her work has been exhibited in multiple cities around Iowa including Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids as well as internationally in London.
"Art has always been my way of making sense of the world, a language where words often fall short. My deepest motivations come from within—my dreams and daydreams are vast landscapes filled with raw, unfiltered emotions and boundless possibilities. Through my art, I create visual metaphors to translate these ineffable feelings into something tangible and shareable. I often look to artists such as Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Vladimir Kush, Hieronymus Bosch, and Miles Johnson for inspiration."
"The human body is at the heart of my work. I see it as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, a vessel that carries our stories, emotions, and complexities. Through the display of anatomy, I explore the metaphysical strangeness of our shared human experience, revealing connections between the physical and the intangible."
"My purpose is to create art that acts as a mirror for others. When viewers engage with my work, I hope they see reflections of themselves—their emotions, thoughts, and inner landscapes—fostering deeper connection to their own experiences and to the collective human condition. My art is an extension of my inner world, a reflection of a mind constantly creating, questioning, and uncovering the mysteries of existence."