Today we’d like to introduce you to Yui Ching Helena Cheng.
Yui Ching Helena, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a Multimedia visual artist born and raised in Hong Kong. I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities.
I have always loved doodling and making DIY gifts for my friends since I remembered. I know I want to use my talent to bring a smile on people’s face. In 2013, I was selected to participate in the Arts Ambassadors-In-School scheme organized by the Hong Kong Development Council to help organized art events within the school and community. And in 2014 I was shortlisted by Hong Kong Jockey Club as one of the top 12 students of the year in the Visual Art category. and met a lot of amazing artists. Since that time, I have been deeply inspired to explore all possibilities and presentations of Art so that I can use this powerful tool to draw attention to the meaningful stories that surround us.
I believe that art is a bridge for the individual to the world. Therefore, I am fascinated with experimenting in different ways to create an experience for an audience and immersing them in a world that they are not familiar with. My work is highly stylized and is influenced by nature, people and culture.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For me, I think art should not be limited to a certain medium, therefore I always seize different opportunities to learn different kinds of techniques. No matter it is craft-making or digital skills. But when It comes to job hunting in the USA, people most often want a specialist. However, It doesn’t stop me from learning and I know that my art journey will not be as smooth as other people, but a fruitful one.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a visual artist, I do not only want my work to be just an artwork. I want to tell a story. Therefore, I am currently focusing on building concept art for animations and a short film for school works and also in the feature film. My most recent work is to help to conduct research and building a world view for a Chinese featured film – Red Squirrel Mai (https://twitter.com/catsuka/status/1121058713521930240) that is coming out by the end of 2019.
I am proud to be one of the first artists to try out a new painting software – Expresii which allows us to draw with brushes that can create a very realistic Ink brush strokes. It is when my multimedia interests in traditional Chinese Ink painting came to use in the digital world!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success is when we are able to make people feel blessed and find their inter-peace. It also linked to my personal philosophy which is- the main meaning of life to our us to learn how to interact with our surrounding; people and environment.
It’s relatively easy to be “successful” in today’s world than 20 years ago, we can easily kickstart our ideas online, our societies are getting more prosperous. However, more and more people are feeling lonely and distance from our society. Therefore, I make sure that I will always save time for my friend and families, as well as contribute back to society when I am free at the weekends. My marker for life is to stay lively and conscious.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1660 Peachtree Street NW, 7209
- Website: www.helenaaacyc.com
- Phone: 9122248812
- Email: helenaaacyc@gmail.com
- Instagram: helena___cyc
Image Credit:
Helena Cheng
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