VanRagazine is a relatively new free monthly magazine that has been circulating around Vancouver for the past few months. It is Vancouver’s newest gay arts + culture rag, and January is their special Art Issue, and I’ve been included! With a focus on visual arts, there are some great interviews with Attila Richard Lukacs, Brian Boulton, and Geoffrey Farmer. My Q&A has been included in their “Artist Profiles” section, where they picked 8 of their favourite local artists. A special thanks to Rebecca Chaperon (who is also one of the 8 artists!) and Cole Johnson, editor of V-Rag.
The Q&A can be read below:
Trained at L’Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in London and UBC here in Vancouver, Roselina Hung has learnt from the best in the world. And it shows in her unique realistic paintings mixed with bright patterns and textures, a style that is sure to place her as Vancouver’s next big thing.
What is your medium of choice and why?
Since I started painting, I’ve always used oils. I love being able to work into the painting while it is still wet, plus the jewel-like colours and transparency in layers lends well to portraiture and especially miniatures, which are my specialty.
How would you describe your style?
I’ve had a lot of people say that my work is photorealism, but I don’t really think so. My paintings are very detailed and often realistic, but they are not photographic. They are often multilayered with references to art history and pop culture, and lately I’ve been playing with bright colourful flat patterns juxtaposed against realistic figures.
What, if any, inspiration do you draw from Vancouver (or the west coast in general)?
Growing up as a Chinese-Canadian in Vancouver has definitely influenced my work, as I was exposed to different cultures and ideas from a very young age. My education in Western art history and my Chinese culture are both present in my work, and I really enjoy working with this duality. The multiculturalism and open-mindedness of Vancouver is something I really appreciate about the city and its people.
Why choose to be an artist, particularly in a country that has made it clear it does not place great value on the arts?
I’ve always known that I would pursue a career in art because I would be miserable doing anything else, so it has always been my first choice. When I was living in London, England, I thought it was great how the museums were free and families would go there on weekends. The value of art was a part of their culture that was instilled in their youth, and I think this is really important. I think Canada is still a young country that has yet to fully learn the value of the arts, both in a cultural sense and also economically as a growth industry. Because of this very reason that Canada is still developing, there are many opportunities to be found and created.
What is your dream project or job?
I would love to be able to exhibit internationally and work with galleries, curators and artists that I respect and admire.
Who are your main artistic influences?
My portraits are mainly influenced by artists such as Holbein, Botticelli, and Raphael. With more contemporary influences, I draw reference from pop culture imagery rather than any specific artists.
