10 Questions with Sabrina Choi

Sabrina Choi is a Hong Kong-born artist who is currently based in London, UK. She mainly works with 2D paintings where she merges her Chinese heritage with her artwork, creating work that allows her to express herself through colors and space while embracing the quiet and shy nature of being an Asian female. Throughout her years studying at Goldsmiths University, London, her practice expanded into a larger area, varying from mental health issues to politics, yet remained relevant to her identity. It aims to create a safe space for people to have conversations about major issues through art itself.

Sabrina Choi has been active among the London art scene and the mental health support community in London; a participant in numerous group exhibitions, and has worked for well-known artists such as Song Dong and galleries like Pace, London.

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 ARTIST STATEMENT

The concept behind Sabrina Choi's artwork could be explained as - "the creation of a futuristic-dystopian world with a hint of pop chaos". Choi makes art that tells a story, usually inspired by personal experiences, social issues, and global crises. The audience is usually attracted to the art due to the playful usage of vibrant colors that remind them of childhood innocence. Yet will then be taken back by the disturbing elements hidden in the work; sometimes the look of fear on the protagonists' face, sometimes the feeling of confusion given by the art itself.

Mental illnesses have always been one of Choi's most featured topics, for her struggles with anxiety and depression have been one of the main reasons and motivators behind her creation.

The blank canvas is like a diary page, which allows Choi to paint her emotions, struggles, and feelings when she cannot put them into words or vocalize them, and by doing so gives her a sense of relief from the release. Choi believes that her art allows the audience to take a sneak peek into her phycological world. It is also a way to give mental illness patients the exposure and support they needed, especially in East Asia. People are commonly hesitant in discussing mental health. Choi believes that her art can create a safe space for people who suffer from mental illnesses to speak up about their problems and a creative approach for the general public to accept and be more welcoming to those suffering in society. As an Asian female artist, she makes the change by defying the traditional Chinese expectations towards young Chinese females. Sabrina works about what was considered inappropriate to speak her mind and save herself.

INTERVIEW

Why are you an artist, and when did you first become one?

I became an artist when I first went to London to pursue my studies at Goldsmiths University, mainly because of my passion for painting, which dates back to when I was still a High Schooler in Hong Kong.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

I hope that my work will let the audience dive into the world of my ever-changing mind. As the story behind my world unfolds, they would be more aware of the increasing numbers of people who live their day to day lives being affected by mental illnesses.

Do you have a role model that you've drawn inspiration from when creating your art?

My mother. When creating art, I have the habit of asking my mother for opinions and advice from time to time, and she would give me unbiased reviews as the audience. Back when I was still a child, my mother used to doodle faces on paper while talking on the phone, and I used to find these drawings strangely appealing to me. This might have indirectly inspired my current work and creative process.

What aspect of your work do you pay particular attention to?

The color contrast and shock factor; whether it's capable of capturing the audience's attention. I hope to create art that manages to lure the audience in at first glance, usually due to the candy-like colors that seemed somewhat joyful and fun, just to then put them off with hidden, slightly disgusting elements in it. It's fun to see how the audience's reaction towards my painting changes as they examine my work. 

Tell us about the colors on your palette and anything new you have been experimenting with.

I used to work with pastel and pastel only mainly. But since the start of 2020, I've decided to use relatively vibrant colors, which allows these faces in my paintings to stand out a bit more, especially when I want to focus on particular facial expressions. I've also tried playing around a little with golden pigment, which is now widely used in my paintings to highlight certain elements that I find off-putting, such as body fluids.

What art marketing activity do you put into practice regularly that works most successfully for you?

I post experimental pieces and work progresses on my social media (mainly Instagram) regularly in order to promote my work. It allows my work to receive some exposure and even became my work portfolio, allowing galleries and magazines to know more about me and my art. 

What do you wish you knew about Contemporary Art before you got started?

I wish I knew how face-paced everything is, especially when it comes to trend and 'hype,' and of course, how competitive it is to be an artist, let alone an Asian Female Artist. 

What artists inspire you?

I am a huge fan of Japanese mangakas (comic artists) and contemporary artists. Right now, and probably for the longest time ever, my biggest inspiration has to be Japanese Artist Yoshitomo Nara, for I find his paintings not only cute and fun but incredibly powerful. The young children that he drew somehow continued to stick in the back of my head, with their big dreamy eyes and that iconic smirk on their faces. I would love to meet Mr. Nara one day to understand more about his creative thinking process. 

Finally, Are there any projects you are currently working on and able to speak about?

I'm currently working on a large scale painting that features the 2020 popular Nintendo Switch Game Animal Crossing: New Horizons characters. I find it interesting how we managed to build a global virtual community within the game while, in reality, we're going through a worldwide pandemic. I wanted to paint out the chaotic-ness of 2020 through pop culture since it is a significant part of our history and, hence, creating my new work "W3".

What is your favorite genre of music to listen to while working?

I love listening to 00s punk rock. It makes my heart beat like crazy, and somehow I feel a lot more energized when I listen to it while painting. I guess it's the 90s kid in me dancing to BLINK-182's "All The Small Things."