My name is Andrew Chen and I major in illustration. My artwork takes on a share of illustration and imagination that represent cultural and personal views. In my work, I create stories of fictional or nonfictional journeys of others. It is a way to represent people who cannot have their voices heard or expressed. Whether it be in many colors or just in black or white, every single piece and process represents a meaning. These meanings come from the inspiration of others who maybe want their messages to be heard. My works are simple. I don’t want people to look hard into it but to get the messages, passions, and experience through to the view as that is what I believe what the purpose of my artwork is: interests, passions and communication.
My experiences in Studio and Seminar helped expand my way of thinking and my skills of illustrating and imagining. It changed my way of perspective at everything around me, to take on challenge that not only view on myself but on other people as well. Ever since I was young I was never one to take sides on anything; I had always stood behind the scenes and let things happen. But now with everything happening that can possibly affect me, I realized that I need to take matters into my own hands and take sides to decide what’s best for me. I need to stop being quiet and start to experience everything around me. So in a year, I imagine myself experiencing and illustrating moments of New York City or somewhere abroad that helps capture the value and qualities of them. For example like illustrating the tourists enjoying their time in Rockefeller Center, the protests of the President-Elect in Union Square, Washington Square Park, and through the entire nation. I always want to go somewhere out of country to experience life that I am not acquainted with, such as South Korea or Paris to illustrate and share their view of life with everyone. I want to illustrate special moments into artwork not only as an art piece but also as story line or a timeline that can be passed down into the future as time goes on.