More than mere artists

Many hats

Li Weiyi, instead, is not only open about, but also celebrates her multiple identities－artist, designer, curator, publisher and online retailer－in an open statement on her website.

She often introduces herself as existing on five websites, each reflecting a different identity.

"I seldom go out," Li says.

"I love to gain exposure on social networks."

The 31-year-old records her life in words and photos.

She spends much of every day sharing her daily activities on social media, such as micro blogs, messenging-app WeChat, Douban (a Chinese platform for shared-interest communities), Instagram and Twitter.

"Many of my fans say that they feel like I'm an old friend, even though we've never met in person," she says, jokingly.

Li is currently working on a doctorate in innovation-design engineering at the Royal College of Art in London.

She earned her bachelor's degree in design at Shanghai's Tongji University and completed her master's in graphic design at Yale

Li designs things she needs and enjoys, including earings, mirrors, art books and exhibition spaces. In her apartment in London, she makes almost everything for daily use on her own.

She opened an online shop several years ago to sell items she describes as existing between art and design.

For instance, she broke a mirror and reconfigured its pieces into art.

"It's still a mirror," she explains.

"But it's unique, since every mirror breaks differently."

She says there was no "aha" moment when she decided to enter the art world.

But she recalls being invited to stage exhibitions in galleries while at Yale.

"Many of the gallery owners saw my work online," she says.

"Some even follow my accounts."

Li doesn't take any one of her identities as the core, she says.

"I don't want to be labeled and limited to a certain field. I embrace all the possibilities," she explains.

"When what I create can't be categorized, it can at least still be called art."