Brian Jiang is an artist, illustrator and recent graduate from OCAD U. Their work centers around themes of identity, queerness and communal spaces.
They were commissioned to create a mural for Linkedin’s new offices in Toronto. In this interview, they share with us their inspirations, creative process and how creating this mural made them confident as an emerging professional artist.
Brian Jiang
SKETCH: Describe your art practice?
Brian: My formal background is in illustration which is what I studied at OCADU. However, I’d say my practice is more multidisciplinary and comprises of illustration, fine art, and graphic design. I use both digital and analogue media to create works that discuss themes such as identity, queerness, communities, and communal spaces.
However, my favourite method of working is painting traditionally. Nothing beats the tactile feeling of applying paint and feeling my body and mind surrender itself to the rhythm of painting. My recent works gravitate towards the notion of world-building, the reinterpretation of personal memories and experiences and imagining queer futures. I think this is probably informed by my recent journey of understanding my trans-ness as a racialized non-binary person and unpacking traumas of being pressured to conform and mask myself. I’d describe my art as often playful in tone, with imagery that usually comprises of interacting characters, fantastical scenarios, lush flora, and discordant colour combos. My work tends to use colour planes, subtle graduation, patterning, and implied texture from the physical qualities of paint. Lately, I’ve been interested in exploring more of public art-making and animation as it really resonates with my desire to create more immersive art experiences.
Nightrider
SKETCH: That sounds magical! Tell us more about your creative process? How do you get in the zone to create?
Brian: My creative process is a balance between me wanting to follow my intuition versus me trying to stick to a plan. Most often, my process begins with scribbling down notes to capture fleeting ideas and thoughts then perhaps diving into research to learn more about a topic or theme. Then, I create dozens of little tiny thumbnail sketches that are more gestural to try to work towards a composition or scene I envision in my mind.
From this, I create a finalized drawing based on the thumbnail I like the most and perhaps try to pair colour combos together based on the subject matter, mood and what colours I haven’t used recently. Finally, I’ll proceed to paint the final image either digitally or traditionally. If this is work for a client ( an illustration) then the process is usually pretty straight forward because I’m usually on a time crunch to get stuff done! For personal work, I’m a lot more loose and try to allow for more experimentation and be more painterly to allow for happy accidents to occur.
SKETCH: How did you hear about the Linkedin opportunity?
Brian: From what I can remember, I think I saw the post for this opportunity being shared on Instagram as well as facebook at the time. It was open to BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ youth artists, so as someone who identifies as QPOC I thought I’d give it a shot! And, I’m so glad I did.
SKETCH: What has it been like for you creating this mural for a company like Linkedin?
Brian: It has been such an exciting experience so far, this is the largest artwork I’ve created so far (7ft x 10 ft) ! I’ve learned a lot throughout this journey. Every stage of producing this mural has allowed me to practice new learned skills such as how to pitch a proposal, developing a budget, and the logistics of physically producing artwork at that size (stretching canvas, projecting the drawing, paint application etc..).
Brian working on the Linkedin mural this past summer
It has also definitely been a fun challenge trying to creatively problem solve the client’s brief for the mural. Linkedin’s brief was for the artist to create an inviting mural for their office space that reflects a combination of urban, nature, playful, diversity and Toronto specific elements. My goal was to create imagery that instills civic pride and is reflective of Toronto’s multiculturalism as well as the values of Linkedin. The design also showcases the beauty that exists in the city’s urban and natural landscape, through a fun and whimsical perspective.
My design depicts a daily scene of Toronto life and celebrates unique “Toronto” culture through a humorous surrealistic twist. In this design, familiar iconic Toronto symbols are transformed in a space where nature and the urban landscape is intertwined. A larger than life parade celebrating cultural foods runs through the city. A Godzilla-like racoon is caught in an encounter between an enormous goose. An anthropomorphized, snake-like TTC wanders through the city.
The design is intended to be lighthearted and foster a fun environment within the office. I hope that the whimsical qualities of this image sparks creative thinking. This experience of working for Linkedin has taught me how to be confident in representing myself and communicating as a creative, in a professional yet authentic manner to the client.
SKETCH: Tell us about a piece of art you’ve created that you’re proud of?
Brian: I’m very proud of the illustration commissions I created for Pride Toronto’s marketing campaign this year. As one of the commissioned artists, I was asked to create artwork that spoke to Toronto’s queer history. I was driven to create art pieces that highlights the queer Asian folks of Toronto. With the recent surge in violence and racism towards the Asian community across North America, I was driven to create art pieces that highlights the queer Asian folks of Toronto. The Asian community in North America has historically and is currently “othered”, dehumanized, and fetishized.
Brian’s piece for Pride Toronto’s 40th Anniversary (above and below)
This discrimination is rampant even within the queer community, where folks face multiplicative struggles due to their intersectional identities. The two pieces I have created focus on the community’s past, present and future within Toronto, acknowledging their existence, activism, and vibrancy. I was inspired by the activism of Gay Asians of Toronto, an organization that formed in the early 80s and by the strength, love and creativity embodied by the Queer Asian folks who take part of the contemporary collective and party, New Ho Queen. It was an honour to be able to use this opportunity to create art that acts like a love letter to my community.
SKETCH: How did you find out about SKETCH? What has your experience been like?
Brian: Prior to working on the mural, I’ve heard about SKETCH and their community arts initiatives via social media but have never set foot in SKETCH’s facilities in person before. My experience so far has been wonderful! The space feels very cozy and inviting. All the people I’ve encountered at SKETCH have been so friendly and personable! There is definitely a strong sense of community at SKETCH. I feel very at ease being in the studio. Sarah has been such a wonderful mentor who has affirmed, guided, and encouraged me during the entire process. Also shout out to Jess who has assisted me during the mural production process, and to Quina for feeding me delicious foods!
SKETCH: How has art transformed your life?
Brian: Art is not only how I’ve been able to express myself, but it has become my livelihood. Art has enriched my life and I can’t see myself living a life that is void of it.
SKETCH: Who or what are your inspirations?
Brian: I find inspiration in folk art, 60’s Japanese Graphic design, Surrealism, print ephemera and the natural world.
Follow more of Brian’s work on Instagram @_brianjiang. They are currently open for commissions!
The post Art as World-Building: In Conversation with Brian Jiang, creator of Linkedin Toronto’s new mural appeared first on SKETCH Working Arts.