10 Questions with Jiahan Fan

Jiahan Fan is a visual and illustrative artist whose work reflects the every day possibilities of the imagination. operating in a variety of materials and media, Jiahan specializes in combining visual art with the function of creating valuable and beautiful artworks. Her work is firmly rooted in the discourse of mid to late 20th-century pop art.

She draws inspiration from Popism, Generation Z, and Chinese culture to create work that employs the strategies of these disciplines while providing a visual experience for the viewer and participant. Her work "Party Animals'' was selected and published in INTERNI Magazine 2022, and "Peking Opera'' was selected for the 2021 Global NFT Digital Competition. Born in China, Jiahan received her MFA from the Academy of Art University in 2021 and resides in Atlanta, GA, where she is a contract artist with Ehelp, creating visual artworks and generating NFTs, as well as designing Ehelp's proposed online NFT community platform, which expands the possibilities of Web 3.0-based digital art.

amandadolly.art | @Oceanblues32

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. What is your artistic background, and how did you start experimenting with images?

Hello everyone! I'm Jiahan, and I'm a creative and enthusiastic illustration artist with a passion for bringing ideas to life via visual storytelling. My art ranges from playful and whimsical to thought-provoking, and I'm always eager to explore new styles and approaches. Whether I'm working on a children's book, a comic, an advertisement, or anything in between, I want to produce art that resonates with people and inspires them to see the world in new ways. After completing my master's degree at the Academy of Art University, I became a freelance designer. Currently, I am a contract artist for Ehelp company, creating visual artworks and generating NFTs. I am also involved in designing Ehelp's proposed online NFT community platform, which creates more possibilities for digital art based on web 3.0.

Pea princess, digital art, 2021 © Jiahan Fan

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

I think the first time I became an artist was when I wrote graffiti on the walls of my room as a child; it wasn't attractive, but I don't believe art should adhere to a particular aesthetic. I grew up in a very loving household with extremely tolerant parents who always pushed me to explore new things, which sparked my passion for creative expression. During my undergraduate years, I studied oil painting as well as art fundamentals. In terms of painting, my college courses made me an art practitioner with a basic understanding of literacy and aesthetics, similar to a towering skyscraper with a strong foundation. After graduating, I decided to pursue illustration and digital art at the Academy of Art University, where I was exposed to a wider variety of creative techniques and philosophies. During my two years of studies, I experienced a great deal of joy and personal worth as a painter, designer, storyteller, and historian. I believe this is why I initially picked this artistic route. Obviously, artists should not be defined by rules, and the essential attribute to becoming an artist is a passion for art.

How would you define yourself as an artist today?

Possibly, from a traditional perspective, people describe an artist depending on whether or not he or she has a formal education and a distinctive creative philosophy and style. All of these things are significant, but I do not think this to be an absolute rule. If art is diverse and inclusive, then neither should artists be defined by rules. I do not believe I can call myself a mature artist at this time; I still have much to learn along this artistic route. I have not yet entirely fixed my creative style since I believe a defined style will create limits. I also continue to explore various topics, which is an intriguing endeavor. Perhaps I prefer to identify myself as an art worker, a term with multiple interpretations, but I never lose sight of my passion for creating and art.

In your work, you mix pop images, Chinese culture, and internet trends. Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? How do you go from the first idea to the final outcome?

The process of incorporating parts of popular culture, Chinese culture, and online culture into a single graphic was tough but satisfying. The key to creativity is experimentation, creativity, and enjoyment. Initially, I certainly experienced periods of perplexity and a certain amount of risk aversion. I enjoy trying new things, however. My creative process typically consists of four stages.

Research: Explore how common themes, symbols, and pictures from diverse cultures, such as traditional Chinese brush painting and calligraphy, can be transformed to a more contemporary aesthetic through research.

Sketching: After identifying the elements of my composition, I will draw various compositions, layouts, and styles. After completing a preliminary draft, it is possible to refine it.

Color incorporation: Choosing colors is also a crucial stage. Typically, I consider employing vibrant, daring colors to convey the dynamism that arises from the collision of civilizations.

Detailing: I will eventually put some finishing touches to my work to complete it. For instance, shade or texture to increase the visual appeal of the piece.

What themes do you pursue with your work?

Typically, the subjects of my works will be either fairy tales or my dreams. I love all types of fairy tales and stories, which are not true but are fascinating and frequently include truths that provoke thought, which provides me with excellent material for my writing. I'm also a real "dreamer," and I frequently recall the details of my dreams, such as Godzilla on a pink beach and me saving the world while riding an elephant. This capacity is, without a doubt, the source of my creativity, despite the fact that it sounds absurd. My art is comparable to an invented language that I use to convey my thoughts to others.

Alzheimer’s, digital art, 2021 © Jiahan Fan

You predominantly work with illustration. What's the essential element in your art?

Fairy tale-inspired works might incorporate more complicated aspects. In general, the most frequent motifs in my work are everyday things and animals.

You have a peculiar style, with bold colors and striking images. How did you come up with your style?

Style creation is a lengthy process that requires imagination, experimentation, and the ability to have an open mind and gather daily information. In the early stages of development, I will conduct extensive research on many civilizations and creative styles, which will help me amass materials and improve my aesthetics. After conducting study, I would attempt to make my works using various instruments and techniques, such as oil painting, pencil, iPad, etc. I continue to explore with a variety of tools and approaches, a process that stimulates creative ideas. A sketchbook, which is a record of all my thoughts and the most reliable "hard drive" in my creative process, is another thing I believe is essential.

You also work with NFTs. What do you think of the recent crash of the Crypto market? Do you think the market will recover, or is it over?

As an NFT artist, it is crucial to comprehend the current market conditions and their potential effects. It's a huge and complex system, with regulatory changes, technology advancements, and investor emotion all influencing the cryptocurrency market, so it's difficult for me to forecast the future of the cryptocurrency market and whether or not it will rebound from its current decline at this time. I have also conducted a study on the crypto market, and as for this year, I am not hopeful about the ensuing recovery of the market. However, I believe that the cryptocurrency market is still the future and that a period of decline would not be fatal to the market's future growth. Therefore, regardless of market conditions, it is essential for NFT artists to concentrate on producing high-quality work and cultivating a solid network of collectors and supporters.

Party animals - Peace, digital art, 2022 © Jiahan Fan

Party animals - Truth, digital art, 2022 © Jiahan Fan

On a broader level, what do you think about the art community? Do you feel you have found your place there?

I believe that art is a means of connecting with others, reflecting the culture and values of society, and inspiring and challenging my worldview. It nurtures creativity, encourages experimentation, and grants artists the freedom to take risks and the desire to create, hence fostering the development of new cultures and art forms. Throughout the evolution of the art world, art has represented various concepts at various eras. It has represented values, rights, and cultural practices, and it is today relevant to the lives of individuals. This is rewarding and unquestionably the advancement of social civilization. I believe I am the benefactor of this, as the popularization of art has given me access to a cause I am passionate about. I have recognized my ideals on a spiritual level.

Finally, any projects you are looking forward to for this year?

I have adopted four stray cats over the past two years, and they are all adorable and kind. I wish to document my stories in the future with them, with whom I have shared many joyful moments.

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