Vancouver-based Hanna Lee Joshi is a Korean-Canadian artist and illustrator working in animation. Her visually vibrant works feature voluminous shapes and flowing compositions that open up new and bold spaces - like candy - "the sweet sticky stuff" (as described on her website bio) - for the eyes! It's a joy to share her work in this year's ON/OFF Grid Show.
Joshi 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?
Lot of my recent work came about through examining my identity. They are not necessarily self portraits but aspects of my self; past, present, future. This lead to lots of inner exploration in my work. For my personal work, I enjoy delving in to subjects such as female gaze, body image, intimacy.
How has technology affected your creative process? Does this affect how you view or choose to interact with the world?
It expands my reach for seeking out inspirations , exposure, and reaching out to people. As an introvert and a hermit, without the social media my reach would be much smaller. It does sometimes exaggerate insecurities but that in turn forms some of the subject in my pieces.
How do you think digital formats impact your field and your audience?
Right now the line between digital and analog is blurring. I think its a really great time to explore all the options instead of compartmentalizing what we can and cannot do. I work in the animation industry. Almost everything is done digitally yet a lot of people want to add in elements of analog into the show. As human we crave something real and tactile but digital offers incredible conveniences. I like integrating both in my work.
See more of Hanna Lee Joshi's work on http://hannaleejoshi.com/ // Instagram @hannaleejoshi // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 3, 2018.