Extended to May 18th!

The JOURNEY-SCAPES Art Show will be up for only one more week at the Chicago Gene Siskel Film Center! The exhibition closes May 18th. Artwork is still available for purchase online: here. Or, to view in person, contact info can be found on the artwork labels at the Film Center. Be sure to check it out while you can!

Artist Interview // HELLEN JO

Hellen Jo is an illustrator and cartoonist living in Los Angeles, CA. Hellen has contributed short comics and illustrations to various publications, including the Believer, Papercutter, Giant Robot, Electric Ant, and VICE. She has also shown her illustration work in a variety of gallery and museum shows, contributed to the independently-made video game, Calvin & Hellen's Bogus Journey and published the first issue of her comic Jin & Jam. She has been a storyboard artist for shows such as Steven Universe, Regular Show and others.

Hellen Jo is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

-What/Who inspires you?

Currently, I'm inspired by teen delinquents, LA skate videos, and the free issues of Teen Vogue that keep showing up in the mail. My two favorite artists are Xaime Hernandez and Taiyo Matsumoto.

-What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am preparing for Roadshow: Austin in July, an arts marketplace and party for ICON9, the Illustration Conference, and I'm translating Hong Yeon-sik's amazing Korean graphic novel, "Uncomfortably, Happily", to English for Drawn & Quarterly. I'm also neck-deep in unfinished paintings for a solo show at Giant Robot in October.

-How would you describe your artistic journey?

I would call my "artistic journey" incredibly wayward, haphazard, and continuously unknown. It took a lot of crying, failing, dropping out, disappearing, and stress to end up here, drawing weird pictures in the dark in the back of the house. My path is never clear, even to myself, and I will probably continue to struggle with my desires, goals, and "purpose" all the way up til the day I die.

See more of Hellen Jo’s work on http://helllllen.org // Twitter @helllllen // Instagram @helllllenjjjjjo // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition going from April 1st through 14th, 2016.

Journey-scapes Art Pop Up Market ACT II // APR 9, 5PM

Back by popular demand! Join us for the SECOND ACT of Journey-scapes Artist Pop-up Market this Saturday April 9, 2016 starting 5pm before and after the screening for MELE MURALS (Mele Murals - Documentary), a film about the Hawaiian art scene and the influence of ancient traditions on graffiti art! Be sure to come visit the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and stay for both!

Participating Journey-scapes artists will be offering wares such as jewelry, prints, art, pins, zines, comics, and more!

Artist Interview // KONSTANTIN STESHENKO

Konstantin Steshenko studied animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. His first film "Wind & Tree" won Best Canadian Student Short at the Ottawa International Animation Festival 2013. Konstantin currently resides in Los Angeles and eats so many cookies that he feels guilty enough to write about it in his bio.

Konstantin Steshenko is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

The natural world is unceasingly surprising and if I can impart a small fraction of its wonder I will feel like I have been successful. I am indebted to Ursula K. Le Guin, Haruki Murakami, and Hayao Miyazaki for their work and inspiration.

Eliza, webcomic. Images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

A webcomic about a guru I met on my travels through South East Asia and the future he foretold.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember and love experimenting in different mediums, from animation and comics to writing and illustration. With every new project I seek to challenge myself with a new style and aesthetic that will best represent the idea I want to see born into the world.

See more of Konstantin Steshenko’s comics on http://www.konstantinsteshenko.com // konstantinsteshenko.tumblr.com // Instagram @steshenkon // Twitter @KonSteshenko // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // TIFFANY LE

Tiffany Le is a Vietnamese-American freelance illustrator based in Southern California. She investigate themes of cultural legacy, comparative mythology and literature, and social topics through the Asian American lens.

Tiffany Le is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Many things inspire me, and it's difficult to categorize--friends, family, literature, mythos, social topics, etc., but if I had to narrow it down to an overall encompassing factor, I'd call it a desire for narrative. Communication and understanding has been a driving motivator in my art, when I find words lacking to convey that.

Tragic Waters series, images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

I'm currently working towards my thesis grad show for my MFA at CSU Long Beach. By documenting my family's stories, Tàu explores Vietnamese-American cultural history and refugee struggles through the metaphorical depiction of boat and water imagery.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

Constantly evolving--I feel that in our craft, mastery is not truly a thing, but it's something we strive towards to mean continually progressing and changing. So, it still feels like I'm bouncing around, trying new things, and collecting skill sets that work for me.

See more of Tiffany Le’s work on www.letealeaf.com/projects // Instagram @letealeaf // www.facebook.com/letealeaf // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // YUMI SAKUGAWA

Yumi Sakugawa is an Ignatz Awards nominated comic book artist. A graduate from the fine art program of University of California, Los Angeles, she lives in Los Angeles. Her comics have also appeared in The Believer, Bitch, the Best American NonRequired Reading 2014, The Rumpus, Folio, Fjords Review, and other publications.

Yumi Sakugawa is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Yoko Ono, Bjork, Frida Kahlo, Tavi Gevinson, Kim Chi, Aimee Bender, Miranda July, Haruki Murakami. Astrology, intense conversations with girlfriends, meditation, aimless walks in downtown Los Angeles, museums, outrageous fashion, coffee, the lunar cycle.

What are you working on right now?

I am in the midst of completing a fully illustrated, DIY lifestyle guide to young women that should be coming out in bookstores next year. I am also working on a multimedia installation that will be on display at the Smithsonian for a 3-day pop-up art event in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month. Also, a few secret projects involving the singularity, the creative process, toxic female friendships and cults.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I feel like my artistic journey truly began on a deeper level when I discovered meditation and mindfulness practice eight years ago. Mindfulness is about embracing the present moment and celebrating what is now, who you are now. Every year is distilling myself into a more concentrated version of my true authentic spirit. Every year I am delighted and surprised by the new layers I keep discovering within myself, and the new voices I get to share with the world. The more I discover new things about myself, the more attuned I feel to a higher wisdom that is guiding me along where I need to be right here and right now.

See more of Yumi Sakugawa’s comics on www.yumisakugawa.com and acrosstheyumiverse.tumblr.com // Instagram & Twitter @yumisakugawa // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // SITJI CHOU

Sitji Chou is a lethargic cat trapped in a human meat body. He survives as a freelance animator in Vancouver, Canada. He is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

People watching inspires me a lot. I daydream a lot about where strangers are going, what they are doing and thinking, and about their past. That's usually the starting point but it deviates pretty quickly into a mess of nonsense.

What are you working on right now?

I just came back from a long trip, so I'm still in the pitching phase for a few freelance projects. There's a couple I'm pretty excited about but I don't want to jinx myself!

How would you describe your artistic journey?

My artistic journey definitely has had it's ups and downs. So much of the art I make depends on my frame of mind and I'm lucky that the stars have aligned enough times for me to make a career of it.

See more of Sitji Chou’s work on sitji.com // Instagram @sitjichou // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // AGNES MA

Agnes Ma is a multidisciplinary artist whose prior background in biology is subtly interwoven in her chosen media of sculpture, metalwork, and jewelry. In her everyday life, she observes and collects forms in nature. Through this process, she is better able to appreciate and understand her environment.

Agnes is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016.

We sat down with Agnes at her studio in DeKalb to ask her a bit about her work and artistic journey! Check out her video interview below:

See more of Agnes Ma’s work on her website w ww.agnesma.com // Instagram @i_am_agnesma // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS

Behind LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS is Fin Lee, a queer Korean American artist, illustrator, maker, and a proud Aquarius. They create abstract visceral formations, patterns, textiles, and affirmations with themes that surround their identity. Most recently, they completed a year long project posted on Instagram every day on 2015. View this work through the hashtag #365yokoonoillustratedtweets and @lostboyillustrations.

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked them a few questions about their work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS: I'm continually inspired by the strong community of queer & POC folks. I think it is essential that more and more people speak out about their differences to create more visibility of often times marginalized communities. I am inspired by outspoken women who refuse to stay silent. I am inspired by people who continue to wake up every morning when they are paralyzed with mental illnesses. I am inspired by those who never give up and use their creativity as an outlet.

What are you working on right now?

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS: The pieces I am working on for the show is a direct translation and interpretation of my mother's immigration story to the states in 1974 from South Korea. I am honored and thrilled to be illustrating her own words and feel truly proud of her strength and courage to write her own narrative.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS: That's exactly what it is... a journey. I've always created art and illustrations but for about 3 years I stopped. I'm so glad I picked up my pen again. I have recently started to make more consistent work and even got the opportunity to draw on Lady Gaga's dancer's costumes at the Grammys this year. My work has elevated itself from beyond the paper and I'm excited to see how my visceral line work continues to change using different canvases (ie: set designs, costumes, murals, etc).

See more of their work on w ww.lostboyillustrations.com // Instagram @lostboyillustrations // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // JACE JUNGGYU KIM

Jace Junggyu Kim is a Canadian painter currently based in Vancouver, BC. His career started off as an animator but his enduring passion is for traditional painting. His painting on canvas arises from the meeting and combination of various artistic materials; oil, acrylic, ink, spray paint and others. He posts daily sketches on instagram at @jacethekim.

Jace is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Jace Junggyu Kim: I get inspired by everything around me to everything inside of me. My paintings work as a bridge between the reality and the subconscious. I often get anxious to paint my raw emotions and like seeing them personified by my brush strokes.

Dali with Magnolias, images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

Jace Junggyu Kim: I am currently working on a commission painting for my client. The work is called 'Midas' lips'. I have sold the original and the client requested me to paint the same so I am struggling to recall the particular emotions and the brush strokes. The expression is different every time and really hard to capture the same vibe with it.

Daily instagram sketches, images courtesy of the artist.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

Jace Junggyu Kim: I have a major in animation. Coming from a such commercial art field provided me a tool to express. The contrast between working for companies and painting for myself really liberates myself from being constrained and limited. As much as I ran all the way around to do what I can truly enjoy doing, I acknowledged what it means to be working as a painter/visual artist. The effort and sacrifices I had to make to be where I am, are the reason why I do what I do now. I am not at my final destination and will not be there anyways since the journey is spontaneously continuous.

I Am Sorry Mom, images courtesy of the artist.

See more of Jace Junggyu Kim’s work on www.behance.net/apologies // Instagram @jacethekim // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // PRISCILLA YU

Priscilla Yu is a multi-disciplinary artist and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC Canada. Her work is a combination of visually-learned geometry and perspective, intuitive colour decisions, and personal narratives.

Priscilla Yu is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Priscilla Yu: I'm inspired by a lot. I'm inspired by nature; the geometry, the beauty, and the systems within it, and I'm inspired by other creative people. I'm inspired by all the artists, illustrators, designers, musicians, and actors around me who are also pursuing their craft.

Treasure Hunt, images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

Priscilla Yu: For a long time, people were always telling me that my paintings would look good on clothing, or that I should do something involved with fashion. So right now, I am working on a personal project, creating a series of clothing inspired by a series of of paintings. Each piece of clothing will be inspired by an aspect from the world within the paintings. I'm still at the experimenting stage with producing these items. I've been experimenting with dye-sublimation printing on polyester. It's kind of fun making the kind of clothing that the beings in my paintings wear, for actual people.

Glass Castle and the Obelisk Storm, images courtesy of the artist.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

Priscilla Yu: My artistic journey has been simultaneously thrilling, satisfying, and bumpy. It's always been really exciting to see what can come out of my brain and onto paper or canvas. I love experiencing that magic of feeling creativity and getting lost in a piece. My art has also connected me to a lot of people whom I love. I also love the learning involved in each project that I do.

On the other hand, I also experience 'impostor syndrome' from time to time. This is where there's this sense of self-doubt, where I feel like, "I'm a fake artist. Do people know that? People are giving me actual money for my thoughts and creativity?" It's super funny, and I'm getting better at not letting that get too out of hand and make me anxious. Overall, my artist journey has been very enriching.

See more of Priscilla Yu’s work on her website www.priscillayu.ca/ // Instagram @brickgirl.yu // Tumblr at priscillayuart.tumblr.com // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

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.