@crysyin

Instagram: @crysyin  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I’m Taiwanese American, and was born and raised in Southern California. I live and work in Brooklyn, New York. My favorite time of the year is “hoodie weather”. I have a constant push/pull of wanting to be alone and craving attention. I’ve loved drawing since I was a child.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

It’s sort of a mixed bag - sometimes it’s oddly personal, sometimes it’s removed and alone. It’s always funny or awkward, though.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

Most of my work is acrylic on paper. For me it’s not so much about the medium but, rather, the surface. I’ve always loved making work on paper because there’s a looseness about it that I just can’t seem to find in canvas or panel. I think it’s because I can throw it around, tuck it away, and not worry about the preciousness of it.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I write down ideas whenever they come to me - on the subway, in the middle of the day, right before bed, etc. When I get to the studio, I drink a giant cup of coffee and clean up a bit. Then I pick an idea from that list and roughly sketch it out. If it seems fun, I go for it.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Just daily life things - but I’m especially drawn to stories that are tragic or weird.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

It sounds corny but viewing art can be transformative - it allows us to peek inside someone else’s life and consider their circumstances. There are so many lessons to be learned when we look at something we’re unfamiliar with.

7. Where did you study?

Cal State Long Beach

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I’d love to still be making work in my studio, feeling enthusiastic about it. I can’t imagine working at an office job ever again.

9. What about in ten?

Same as above but insanely wealthy.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

It’d be nice if different people could connect with it in different ways so as to feel just a little less alone - whether that be through identifying with cultural themes or just something that makes them chuckle, I’d be happy with that.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

EGGS!!!

12. Favourite book?

The first thing that comes to mind is The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, but I recently read and fell in love with Paul Beatty’s The Sellout.

13. Favourite genre of music?

Hiphop. There was a long stretch there where no good hiphop was coming out so it lost me for a bit but then Kendrick Lamar brought me back in.

14. What are your hobbies?

My favorite thing to do is to walk aimlessly around outside, which is probably why I can never live anywhere but New York City. A casual 10 mile walk with no destination in mind, just observing all types of people and eating snacks - that’s pretty great.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

I’ve always been interested in doing social work but I don’t think I have the guts for it. I’m overly emotional and I get way too invested in the lives of people I don’t know. I’d give it a shot though.