JOCELYN TSAIH

"I'm an illustrator, designer, and egg-lover based in SF and Oakland.

Born in Taipei and raised in Shanghai, I eventually made my way to New York to study Graphic Design at SVA. I recently moved to the Bay Area in search of the sun and new adventures."

- Jocelyn Tsaih (artist website bio)

Tsaih is one of the participating artists for the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition (April 6 - June 3) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 23rd Annual Asian American Showcase, 2018. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

Does your identity or personal story inform your work? Who/what inspires you?

Yes definitely. A lot of my work reflects certain thoughts and emotions that derive from my personal experiences and observations. I am Taiwanese-American but I grew up in Shanghai while being part of a Western community. I think this experience really forced me to understand the dichotomies of my surroundings. My upbringing was a source of inevitable inner conflicts, as I'm sure it is with most Asian-Americans. Visualizing how such contrasts can eventually create a balance is something that I strive to achieve through my work. I tend to spend a lot of time (maybe too much) mulling over how to illustrate these reflections in a simple way. I really look up to people that have the ability to do this intuitively through their work.

How do you think digital formats impact your field and your audience?

I work digitally a lot because it’s streamlined and efficient. Sometimes I think that the efficiency adds value to my thought process and the final product of my work, but sometimes I think it’s the other way around. Either way, I enjoy having the option of creating work digitally. Possibilities are endless and it’s fun to explore new techniques. I also appreciate being able to share my work faster to more people at once.

What are you working on right now?

Ironically, I am trying to work on more paintings right now. Because I’ve been working so much digitally, I’m consciously pushing myself to do more hands-on work so that I can feel mentally balanced. As much as I love working digitally and what comes with it, I think it’s important to have that balance!

"One" by Jocelyn Tsaih. Image courtesy of artist.

See more of Jocelyn Tsaih's work on www.jocelyntsaih.com // Instagram @jocelyntsaih // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 3, 2018.

Artist Feature // WALDIA & CO.

Waldia & Company is an art project based in the midwest and started by designer and illustrator Manuja Waldia. About her company, and artwork: "Originally from India, we strive to create objects of art to decorate and delight, while celebrating our roots from the Indian subcontinent. My pieces are about finding self love and appreciation of identity by people of color. It's of utmost importance to find pride in one's roots, especially in the current political climate."

Waldia & Co. is one of the participating artists for the Fierce Tidings art exhibition (March 31 - July 15) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which ran March 31st through April 12th, 2017.

"Pizza Coven" by Waldia & Co. (Courtesy of artist.)

From "Self Care" series. (Image courtesy of artist.)

"Tug o' War" by Waldia & Co. (Image courtesy of artist.)

"Empowered Sunset" by Waldia & Co. (Image courtesy of artist.)

See more of Waldia & Co.'s work on https://waldiaandco.com // Instagram @waldiaandco // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition running Friday, March 31, 2017 - July 15, 2017.

Artist Interview // GRACE MICHIKO HAMANN

Grace is a graphic designer by day, and illustrator / textile designer / jewelry maker by night. On her creative process: "I love all things that are intricate, vibrant, and colorful. I'm half-Japanese, half-German, and my heritage deeply informs my designs."

Grace is a Chicago based artist. She is one of the participating artists for the current Fierce Tidings art exhibition (March 31 - May 12) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which ran March 31st through April 12th, 2017. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?

Yes! I've always been influenced by my heritage, both on my Japanese and German sides. I think Japanese culture has such an appreciation for decorative art. I'm drawn to decorative art because it exists for no other purpose than to please the eye. I've also recently been studying some German textile designers - particularly Gunta Stölzl. I love the geometry in her work.

-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)

Much of my work is textile design and not as conceptual - so not as much of a "message". I like to make work that calls attention to color and geometry. I strive mostly for balance and to create things that are visually interesting and aesthetically pleasing.

-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?

I'm happy when my work causes people to think about / talk about culture. I pull a lot of inspiration from other cultures and spend a lot of time thinking about how I can fuse visual references with my own personal style to create something new. I love when people can recognize the influences in my work, or when they call my attention to something that my work reminds them of that I've never seen before.

-How do current events affect your practice?

I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can use art and design to talk about current events. My goal for this year is to use my platform as an artist to call attention to issues that I think are very important. My pieces in the Fierce Tidings show may look decorative on the surface, but hold a deep meaning for me. My grandfather was one of the many Japanese-Americans sent to live in American internment camps during WWII. Despite the fact that their human rights were brazenly violated by a xenophobic American government, many Japanese-Americans showed an incredible amount of perseverance and patriotism. I wanted to honor these people by illustrating traditional Japanese crests that represented themes of resilience and the triumph of good over evil.

-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?

I lean more towards reflective. Drawing patterns is a great way to meditate and I use my art-making to create order in chaos.

See more of Grace Michiko Hamann's work on grace-hamann.squarespace.com // Instagram @michiko_design // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition running Friday, March 31, 2017 - May 12, 2017.

Artist Interview // ANA CHO

Ana Cho spends her waking hours of freedom from the computer at the pottery studio working with her hands. Inspired by the earthy nature of clay she aspires to create functional yet aesthetically unique and pleasing pieces. She feels making usable vessels forms a stronger connection to the people who use her pieces at home. A Korean Canadian Artist who is currently living in the Los Angeles area, during the day Ana works in video games creating digital art.

Photo of artist taken by Scott Greenway.

Cho is one of the artists in the Fierce Tidings art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs March 31st through April 12th, 2017. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?

I never used to make a strong connection between my identity as a Korean and my artworks until I started pottery.

When I became interested in the traditional Korean pottery I realized my desire to create simple and elegant pieces largely comes from being exposed to the traditional aesthetics both consciously and unconsciously while growing up in Korea. I’m looking forward to learning more about Korean pottery, both traditional and modern, and exploring elements that can be integrated in my own practice.

-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)

I find meaning when my pieces are used in people’s homes with pleasure but without the preciousness that often comes with artwork. I would like my pieces to feel approachable, down to earth and practical – a vessel that makes a person's daily rituals feel a little bit more connected and richer.

-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?

Art can be messages sent by the artist to their community, society, the world, or within themselves. Art can also be just for aesthetics. I personally don’t believe art has to have a purpose always because a person creating something itself is meaningful.

-How do current events affect your practice?

I started learning pottery in the midst of a very personally challenging time. The mindful nature of pottery-making helped me tremendously to get through the difficult times. As it did then, working with clay, each step of the process, continues to reminds and allows me to be in the moment and keep the sense of inner peace and calm that easily escapes one in the society we live in.

-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?

I’m more reflective when I create.

See more of Ana Cho's work on Instagram @anacho.made // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition opening Friday, March 31, 2017.

Artist Interview // EILEEN TJAN

Eileen Tjan is an award-winning art director and multi-disciplinary graphic designer. Based in Chicago, her studio practice OTHER bridges international aesthetics to deliver progressive design and branding services.