Conversations with Authan Chen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Authan Chen.

Hi Authan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I am a Taiwanese visual artist who enjoys both traditional painting and contemporary art, such as digital illustration and 2D animation. My art is greatly inspired by pop surrealism, botanical illustrations, mythology, and anthropology, and my works gallop between the boundaries of digital art and conventional art, as well as reality and the fantasy world.

I grew up in a suburban town in northern Taiwan, where I was exposed consistently to the stunning countryside scenery and traditional religious practices. As a result, Taiwanese folktales and cultural traditions have been predominant in my art nowadays. You may also find playful reinterpretations of both Western and Eastern mythological symbols or themes in my works.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

I think I struggled through the same financial path as most artists did. Initially, finding the perfect audience or illustration client interested in my work took a lot of effort. My art journey is like a vehicle fueled by self-doubt, recklessly driving down a bumpy road. It took me over ten years to steadily build my portfolio and find my own voice. Yet, looking back at this point, I appreciate every challenge I encountered and tackled since they have been translated into my current visual vocabulary and art philosophy. Recently, I had the opportunity to collaborate with clients like LG Electronics, ASUS, and Yoseka Stationery, and the synergy has also engaged a greater audience, which I am truly grateful for.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I enjoy creating art both in traditional media and through digital formats. I would create digitally for better efficiency when making art for animations, book covers, or commercial projects. On the other hand, I will paint conventionally in acrylic on canvas for gallery shows, where you might find some of the pieces exhibited in gallery shows across Los Angeles, San Diego, or Portland. My work generally consists of surrealistic storytelling, which I aim to establish an imaginative world through one or a series of consecutive pieces and hope to share these whimsical interpretations of this world with more people.

I paint in pastel colors and sinuous, organic shapes to depict a hyper-surrealistic dreamland for my pieces. In addition, growing up as a gay artist made an impact on the human figures in my creations. I aim to degenderize most characters in my art and eventually transformed them into gender-neutral, statuesque forms. Their skin tones would be colored in bizarre yet neutral colors like purple, pink, or gray. Through this process, I am creating a blank slate where any audience can project themselves through these characters and experience the emotions in my art.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
The presence of luck took part in the form of the art lovers and community I met here; everyone is incredible! The community is genuinely ardent about supporting local artists, as well as linking an artist to more possibilities. For instance, I was sketching at a cafe and someone approached me to initiate a conversation. It turned out that she was a professor teaching at an art program nearby, and it opened up more opportunities down the road. I am sincerely thankful to have met so many wonderful individuals throughout my art journey here, and not to mention how much I hope to contribute and support the art community in return.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.authanchen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authanchen