Abby Sin’s prismatic, fluid artworks are inspired by science fiction and the landscape and culture of Los Angeles. Make sure to check out much more at the links following our Q&A!
Can you tell me a little bit about you?
I am from Los Angeles, currently living and working out of my art studio in Pasadena. I attended Art Center College of Design for my undergraduate degree in fine art. I love being an artist in LA; I am inspired by the sci-fi terrain of the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory, the DTLA fashion district alive with color and texture inspirations, and of course the luminous sky! You can find me in my studio most days working on a variety of projects at once; paintings, sculptures, installation, and projected video art. Interested in the perceptual, my work explores fluidity and materiality.
When did you first discover art, or realize you wanted to make it yourself?
I have always been creative and from a young age I wanted to become an artist. Even in the most archetypal sense, I respected the notion of creative genius and looked up to superstar artists like Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol with cool admiration. I had always been interested in artistic processes making paintings, drawings, videos, photographs, digital collages, sculptures, etc. In high school I became especially interested in contemporary art because it presented limitless possibilities.
What ideas are you exploring in your practice?
I am interested in new age and sci-fi culture. A superficial love of the tactile and perceptual drives my material exploration with plastics, glass, resin, and new textiles. I utilize a variety of surface qualities and finish effects such as, pouring resin on fabrics and glass or layering transparent vinyl over paint to create optical phenomena like color interference, reflections, and other prismatic effects. The material transmutation suggests dream-like geography and organic mapping. In the last year my work has shifted more towards sculpture and I have started to abandon traditional substrates.
What is your process like?
Material research is a major part of my process. I utilize holographic vinyl, iridescent cellophane, coated films, mirrors, plastic, and glass. My attraction to shiny, prismatic and transparent, light-reactive materials drives the aesthetic of my work. I love to discover new materials and experiment with what optical effects I can create in my work.
Do you have a mentor, or a piece of advice (or both), which has influenced your practice?
I share a studio with my boyfriend Ruben Vincent, who is also an artist. It is so important to have a someone supportive that you can bounce ideas off of. We keep each other motivated and our studio is constantly buzzing with new projects, creative energy, and wet paint!
What is your studio like?
I have a studio loft in Pasadena, California. I fell in love with the light filled space, high ceilings and concrete floors. The white walls enable me to curate my work gallery style. Usually I work on a few pieces simultaneously; the studio will be covered in plastic and have resin drenched surfaces with artworks at various stages of completion. It looks a bit like the laboratory of a mad scientist!
What do you find most daunting, challenging, or frustrating about pursuing art?
I have so much art I do not know what to do with it all! Sometimes it can be challenging to take a step away from the studio to seek exhibition opportunities or other means of sharing your work. I strive to find that balance between my personal studio practice and the social responsibilities of being a professional artist.
What are three words you would use to describe your work?
Prismatic, Fluid, Sci-Fi
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a series of iridescent cellophane and vinyl resin paintings that are on completely transparent substrates. In some ways I am working more reductively with the materials, but the outcome seems even more decadent! I am looking forward to expanding my practice in the multifaceted direction of sculpture.
Find more at abbysin.com and on Instagram @abbysin_fineart!
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