Interview: Jacky Chang
Luca Curci talks with Jacky Chang during Venice International Art Fair 2021 in Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Chih-Yuan (Jacky) Chang is an award-winning interdisciplinary designer based in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Pratt Institute with an M.F.A. in Communications Design in 2020. He is currently working in A-B-D co., a creative office specialized in visual identity, content creation, brand strategy, and more. He devotes himself to applying systematic thinking with engaging visuals across extensive forms and experimenting with various materials. His work has been recognized by multiple awards and featured in various press.

LUCA CURCI – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
JACKY CHANG – I was born in an average family in Taiwan. Although none of my parents or relatives were engaged in art and design, I have been obsessed with creativity and colors since I was young. For as long as I can remember, I have had a deep love for painting and often spent a whole day in the studio to immerse myself in creating. I want to show my gratitude to my parents because they encouraged me to experience my talents in art. They taught me to be brave in exploring different mediums and be courageous to jump out of my comfort zone. This attitude and spirit of facing challenges have influenced me a lot in the future. When I studied fine art in high school, I began to have more dedication and interest in aesthetic creation, which allowed me to have a deep understanding of the field of design. I learned about and focused on a wide range of skills, from two-dimensional practice such as graphic design and motion graphics to three-dimensional work in packaging design and material modeling. Based on the diverse skills I learned and the spirit of jumping out of the comfort zone to experiment that my parents instilled in me, I am now highly proficient in combining technology and new media in my creative art pieces. Take my exhibited work “From Light, To Weaponize, Then To Protection” at Venice International Art Fair, for example. I utilized multiple techniques such as photography, video images, and performances to explore the weaponized light in this experimental artwork. You may learn more about the project on my website.

LC – Which subject are you working on?
JC – I have been exploring and creating in art and design freely. There is an upcoming event at the 7th Taiwan Orchid Show in New York on August 12. I will be one of the artists painting on-site and performing in front of Taiwan’s ambassadors and the United States government officials. In addition, I will have at least three works on display at the Queens Botanical Garden Museum of Art after the painting performance. Recently, I am working on portraying flowers and plants on canvas for the exhibition and preparing for the on-site implementation. Please stay tuned for the event, and feel free to visit the Taiwan Orchid Show on August 12.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
JC – I am entirely open to all kinds of art themes, and I enjoy the process of creating and exploring them. I won’t confine myself to a particular art theme. Experimenting and investing in diverse creative styles and methods to demonstrate different subjects is what I prefer more. However, recently, I enjoy utilizing mixed media such as photography, light, video recording, and crafting in my artwork. I won’t stop exploring diverse art themes until an event significantly impacts my life, which might push me to pursue a more individual art theme in the future.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
JC – I typically choose subjects from the surroundings in my daily life. I like to keep them in a diary that records my life or expresses my feelings or captures a moment. Depending on the message I want to send through my art pieces, the subjects could be tangible and psychic in colors or abstract shapes. I will choose the appropriate subject that best reflects the topic and visualize them through comprehensive techniques or methods.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it like your medium of expression?
JC – Yes, as I mentioned previously, sometimes art to me is a documentary of a moment and allows me to express my perspective on a matter. The expression could be an exciting incident in life or current affairs of the prevalent issues on earth. It is pretty fascinating to look back on the artwork created today years later because I might find myself growing in the artistic creation and recall the trivial but valuable memories. It is a unique approach to document the journey of my life.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
JC – I am satisfied and intrigued to participate in this festival, which provides extensive services for advancing artists’ popularity and publicizing their artworks worldwide. The projects and collectives ITSLIQUID featured are prosperous because they range from paintings and photography art to sculptures and installations and more. It is an inspiring festival like a melting pot that is composed of multidisciplinary work from artists with diverse cultures. Another thing that makes this festival special is its location. Venice International Art Fair is obviously held in Venice, Italy, one of the most mythic, symbolic, and historical art centers globally. Venice has been an indicative and artistic place throughout art and design history. The blessing of this characteristic increases my fulfillment and excitement to exhibit in this representative city full of fine art and creativity.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the festival or as a part of preexisting works?
JC – I would say it happens almost simultaneously as I was already in process of creating this artwork as one of my pieces that would serve to discuss the consequences between human and extreme light. I found this meets the Venice International Art Fair’s content of investigating the connection between body and space and the hybridization between identities and cultural/physical/social/urban contexts in contemporary time. Thus, I actively chose to participate in this festival to share my work on an international scale.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
JC – I will, and it will be my honor to collaborate with ITSLIQUID in the future. I found ITSLIQUID to be a professional and trustworthy group to engage with because I have a fantastic impression from all the staff members I have interacted with. Everyone has been overwhelmingly responsive with clear answers and practical solutions to my inquiries during the preparation period. I am thankful to ITSLIQUID for establishing a platform to showcase extensive insights and significant influence in the field of art.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
JC – Absolutely YES. Every invitation and exposition is an opportunity for artists to shine and be known. I am so grateful I did it and appreciative of ITSLIQUID’s invitation. The platform’s events allow me to meet more talented artists and learn about their creations. I love the curation of the place’s greatness and services for artists with dedicated press interviews and publications. I will also like to give credit to the ITSLIQUID website and social media account as platforms that have successfully promoted the events and artists for years. I will invite my friends to participate in ITSLIQUID’s future events.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
JC – I certainly did! Everyone at ITSLIQUID has been so hospital and easy to communicate with and guided me on the process of exhibiting my work. This was the first time to participate in an ITSLIQUID event for me and the journey has run smoothly and been a great experience. Thank you!