A successful and creative career in illustration

Illustrator and entrepreneur

Photo credit: Micah Pegues

By Brenda Whately

I spoke with Christina through email to find out a little more about her, her ‘pirouetting’ and her work.

After coming to Singapore from Seattle Washington with her family, Christina attended UWCSEA for seven years, graduating in 2011. Among the numerous other subjects, service and activities she was involved in, Christina studied Art throughout her years at UWCSEA. When asked if the College has had an influence on her eventual

Christina Chung ’11

Christina’s website describes her thus:

“Christina Chung is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. Through a line and pattern-based style, she creates illustrations that are sensitive, delicate and infused with symbolism. She spent her childhood blackberry-picking and pirouetting in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, her summers in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and her angst-filled adolescent years in the hot and sweaty melting-pot known as Singapore. She likes cats, coffee, Earl Grey tea, making to-do lists, devouring books and the smell of lavender.”

choice of career, she says, “Needless to say Art was my favourite subject and IB Art absolutely set me on the path that I’m walking today. It was in IB Art that I first came across illustration both as a concept and as a viable career option. My favourite art teacher from Grade 7 to 11, John Widder was fundamental in my eventual decision to continue my artistic studies through university. I also think the unique and varied education I received at UWCSEA helped me to continue to think out of the box beyond my years spent there.” After graduation, Christina returned to the US, this time to Brooklyn New York where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Communications Design with a concentration in Illustration, from the Pratt Institute. She has remained in New York City since, working as a freelance illustrator. Starting out in editorial illustration, creating work for newspapers and magazines, both in print and online, Christina has since branched out into creating work for gallery shows as well as illustrating book covers and designing silk scarves featuring some of

Cover photo: Christina Chung’s illustration, ‘The Celestial River’, created for a gallery exhibition entitled ‘Parallel’. Christina’s interpretation of the theme of parallel worlds was to create this piece examining the question, ‘What if what we know as our reality was turned upside down and in a parallel universe we turn our heads upward to see fish swim through a river in the sky?’

‘Adam and Eve’ an illustration Christina created for TED, about the relationship between Adam and Eve, examining their love for each other beyond the traditional story.

her designs, in addition to her editorial work. She has an impressive set of clients for that work including The New York Times, TED, Scientific American and Amazon Publishing. When asked why she has chosen to remain in New York City, she says, “New York is a wonderful and rewarding place for an illustrator. Brooklyn specifically is home to a huge number of young creatives like myself, but of course the entirety of New York City is historically an epicenter of art. I love living in a city surrounded by creatives from all walks of life that I can identify with, learn from and be inspired by. I also love the fast-paced lifestyle of New York City; the constant buzz of energy keeps me productive and inspired.” John Widder, Head of Art at UWCSEA met up with Christina and a few other former UWCSEA art students in New York City last year. He has this to say about Christina, “While some students seek notoriety by grand works of art on a massive scale, Christina earned

Christina with teacher John Widder and four other UWCSEA alumni.

accolades for putting in exceptionally strong research in “the book”; the IB Sketchbook that contains all of the research and practice that serious practitioners will perform to be sure their work is both conceptually and technically grounded. The Studio Work that resulted is still clear in my mind, now many years later. In her major work dealing with her place with Asia, she dealt with journeys and the effects of Chairman Mao. Through her nearflawless research and development process, she discovered a personal style and approach to her art-making, elements of which can still be seen in her current professional work. An accomplished thinker and writer in addition to being a top visual artist, it comes as no surprise but with great pride, to see Christina as a successful illustrator within the highly competitive New York City market.”

When referring to UWC values, Christina mentioned that, “From time to time I like to donate my work to non-profit organisations or publications that write about or work on issues that I care about.” It appears that the UWC values are alive and well in her. And I am very glad that this is one of the ways in which she expresses those values since she has donated to us the use of her illustrations for this publication. Thanks Christina!

Oh, and her pirouetting? A childhood of ballet.

For more information and to view more of Christina’s amazing work, please visit:

http://www.christina-chung.com/

‘Nuwa’ a portrait of the Chinese mythological figure, Nuwa, created as a personal piece by Christina. Nuwa’s tale describes the origin of humankind and how she saves her children from certain death. ‘Pulsenet’ an illustration for Eater, about technology that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States uses in order to prevent the spread of food borne illnesses.