Interview: Yuko Hwang
Luca Curci talks with Yuko Hwang, WINNER of the ARTIST OF THE MONTH – APRIL 2025.

Yuko Hwang is a 3D artist from Taipei, Taiwan. With a strong foundation in traditional fine art and a background in advertising design, Yuko’s artistic journey has grown from sketchbooks and canvas to immersive digital spaces. After studying character animation and 3D modeling at Hsing Wu University, Yuko completed a BFA at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, where her work was featured in an industry magazine, 80 level and commercial work for EDGLRD.

Yuko’s work is deeply inspired by science fiction, natural forms, and cultural storytelling. Drawing from personal experiences, urban textures, and travel, they build digital worlds that blend realism and imagination. In both personal and commercial projects, Yuko focuses on crafting environments rich in detail and emotion – from weathered props to atmospheric lighting.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Yuko Hwang – I grew up Taipei, Taiwan, and I’ve been surrounded by art and creativity ever since I was a kid. I started out learning fine art with a tutor for almost eight years, and that really taught me the basics – how to see light and shadow, how to capture a feeling on paper. Later on, I studied advertising design in high school, which pushed me to think about how images communicate and how to grab someone’s attention. But honestly, the experience that changed everything for me was when I got into 3D art. Being able to bring my drawings into a digital world and see them come to life in 3D – that was like magic. It felt like a natural progression from painting and drawing, but at the same time, it opened up so many new possibilities. That’s what really shaped my path as an artist.

LC – How much has the city/country in which you grew up/were born affected your work as an artist?
YH – Growing up in Taipei has had a huge impact on my work, for sure. The city is so alive – there’s this energy and color everywhere you look. I love how the old and the new exist side by side. You’ve got ancient temples right next to skyscrapers, and neon lights glowing over narrow alleyways. It’s a place where tradition and technology meet, and I think that’s something that shows up a lot in the environments and props I create. Even when I’m working on 3D work, I’m always thinking about how to weave in those details – textures that feel lived-in, spaces that have a story behind them.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
YH – Yeah, art is definitely my way of expressing what’s going on in my head. Sometimes I have a really clear story I want to tell, and other times it’s more of a mood or an atmosphere I’m chasing. I’m fascinated by the idea of blending reality and imagination – taking things we see in the real world and giving them a bit of a surreal or futuristic twist. Working in 3D lets me do that in a really hands-on way, because it’s like building a world piece by piece. It’s my way of sharing those little daydreams I have and making them something people can actually see and connect with.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
YH – Honestly, it’s always a mix of pride and curiosity. I’m happy to see something I imagined finally existing in a finished form – even if it’s digital, it feels real to me. At the same time, there’s always this voice in my head saying, “What can you do better next time?” I think that’s what keeps me going: the idea that there’s always another level to reach. But overall, seeing a finished piece is a really satisfying feeling. It’s like, “Okay, I made this – now let’s see what’s next.”

LC – What are you currently working on?
YH – I’m currently working on a personal 3D environment project inspired by Taiwanese culture. This time, I really want to use 3D art as a way to introduce Taiwan – a country full of beauty, history, and hidden stories – to a wider audience. The scene will take place in an abandoned interior space, something quiet but rich with character. It’s been exciting to experiment with textures and lighting to find that balance between something that feels worn-down and forgotten, yet still holds a sense of life and memory.
At the same time, I’m using this project as an opportunity to grow – not just refining my prop modeling, but also learning new software and pushing myself to try new techniques. I truly believe that the little details – the way light hits a rusted surface, or how a forgotten object tells a story – can make all the difference in environment design. This project is helping me dive deeper into those elements, and I’m really enjoying the process.

LC – Is there an unrealised or unrealisable project, even a crazy one, that you would like to work on?
YH – Last year, I watched Anyma’s concert at the Sphere in Las Vegas on YouTube, and it left a lasting impression on me. The way his music blended seamlessly with 3D motion graphics and storytelling was absolutely mesmerizing. It wasn’t just a performance – it felt like stepping into another dimension where sound and visuals moved as one. Ever since then, I’ve dreamed of creating a fully immersive 3D world – something like a music-driven visual experience where people can not only enjoy the sound but also be surrounded by the art. I want to build environments that don’t just sit on a screen, but that people can actually walk through, feel, and get lost in. The idea of crafting a world that reacts to music, that feels alive and emotionally engaging, really inspires me. Even if it feels a bit out of reach right now, it’s a creative goal I hold close – something I’d love to explore and bring to life in the future.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
YH – It’s pretty exciting, honestly. There are so many new tools and communities out there, and it feels like there’s always something new to learn. At the same time, it can be a little overwhelming – there’s so much amazing work being made, and it’s easy to start comparing yourself to others. But I think the best thing about being an artist today is that you can find your own voice and your own audience, no matter where you’re from. For me, it’s all about staying curious and open to new ideas, and just trying to keep that sense of excitement alive.