Xuanmei Ren is an illustrator animator who explores the relation between the self and the world through visual narratives. She believes that visual storytelling is a compass by which we evaluate our past and direction to the future. Her upbringing in intersecting cultures influenced her to explore narratives that seek empathy and understanding. She believes visual narratives as the tool connects us as a bridge.

‘Face to face is an animation commenced from the Moving image brief by the Royal Society for arts. The work builds on the transcript from the interview with Dr Vivek Murthy about loneliness and isolation amidst the polarising world. She uses the metaphor of peeling fruit to convey how we should see the people beneath the layers. To be able to communicate with one another, face to face.

Xuanmei seeks to continue exploring and presenting works driven by the narrative and character to share with the audience.