Title: Kodak Flashfun
Medium: re-purposed books and maps, acrylic mirrors, adhesive
Size: 15″x9″x5″
Year: 2015
Briefly describe the work you do.
Exploring identities and cultures in scientific, psychological conditions are my main practice with various approaches using mixed mediums and found objects through drawings, paintings, sculptures and installation.
Tell us about your background and how that has had an influence on your work and on you as an artist.
I grew up in Taiwan, and moved to the United States 12 years ago. Different places have different cultures, and human beings will naturally change and adapt to different environments. When people travel, they bring their culture and identity with them. Sometimes the culture and identity that they bring with them changes and adapts to that new environment. In the end, it changes to a modified new culture or a different identity. I always put myself in the situation to make the subject matter more personal to me, so my work gives an intimate and personal account of my own experiences while simultaneously encouraging the viewer to recall their own.
The concept of the artist studio has a broad range of meanings in contemporary practice. Artists may spend much of their time in the actual studio, or they may spend very little time in it. Tell us about your individual studio practice and how it differs from or is the same as traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
I do a lot of thinking and planning outside of my studio, and when I go in to my studio, it is work. Having a toddler, I don’t have much time I can waste. So when I get a few hours or even one hour can be alone in the studio, I will make sure my time is well spent!
Title: Polaroid Minute Maker
Medium: re-purposed books and maps, adhesive
Size: 8″x10″x10″
Year: 2015
What roles do you find yourself playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
It is a lot harder than I thought! I have to be very good at managing my time, and get on top of checking my emails, and reaching out to other artists, curators, and gallery directors. Also be good at talking about art and writing about art too!
When do you find is the best time to make art? Do you set aside a specific time everyday or do you have to work whenever time allows?
My studio time right now is all depends on my toddler’s nap schedule. If he naps longer, I will have longer studio time! I also have part time babysitter too, so I can have longer hours to be focus on making art.
How has your work changed in the past five years? How is it the same?
It changes from time to time. It all depends on my life at the current stages and also the environments around me.
Title: Speed Graphic
Medium: re-purposed books and maps, adhesive
Size: 13″x11″x17″
Year: 2014
How have people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers, other artists or even pop icons had an impact on the work you do?
Because my work is about identities, families and friends are definitely having a big impact on my work. Also being in a critique group with other artists haven been very helpful with my practice too.
Have you ever been pulled in the direction of a pursuit other than being an artist? What are your other interests?
I was a graphic designer and illustrator working on freelance projects and also working at in house advertising company. I was also teaching kids and adults in different profit and non-profit art centers. But way before I went to art school, I was majoring in Materials Engineering and Science. I like math and science since I was little!
About
Different places have different cultures, and human beings will naturally change and adapt to different environments. When people travel, they bring their culture with them. Sometimes the culture that they bring with them changes and adapts to that new environment. In the end, the culture changes to a modified new culture. I always put myself in the situation to make the subject matter more personal to me, so my work gives an intimate and personal account of my own experiences, while simultaneously encouraging the viewer to recall their own. The subject matter that influences and inspires my work the most comes from my own cultural experiences. My work is mixed media and found objects from various locations. I work digitally and traditionally as well as three dimensionally, and like to experiment with different techniques and mediums.
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
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365 Artists | 365 Days 