Meet artist and graphic designer from Hong Kong, Sonya Fu.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m an artist and graphic designer based in Hong Kong. I was also born and raised in this magical city. I mainly work with digital media and I create my work on the computer using a drawing tablet. I’m greatly inspired by my dreams and spiritual metaphysics.

 

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Hong Kong is a very busy and densely populated city where east meets west. If I have to describe Hong Kong in a fun and accurate way, I would call it a “Blade Runner” and “Ghost in the Shell” kinda city. You will find many cyberpunk elements throughout our city – historical buildings and temples among futuristic-looking skyscrapers, neon signs and sleepless wanderers!

Living in Hong Kong is both difficult and easy. The difficult part is our ridiculous high rent and the fast-paced stressful lifestyle, also the lack of personal space. The easy part is you can pretty much get anything just around the corner, fast and relatively affordable internet services, shops and restaurants that open till late or 24/7, this place just doesn’t sleep!

 

If I have to describe Hong Kong in a fun and accurate way, I would call it a “Blade Runner” and “Ghost in the Shell” kinda city.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing about living in Hong Kong is its multicultural background which makes it not boring and everything is pretty fast and convenient. The worst thing has got to be the ridiculous rent that makes everyone’s life really stressful, you can even sense unhappiness in the atmosphere.

 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Shrug, Frustrated, Surreal

 

How did you start your career in art?

I worked as a graphic designer until 2010 then I started to pay more serious attention to my art. I used to post my work in an online community and got invited to my first group art exhibition. I had many doubts about it at first, since being an artist in Hong Kong is mostly considered unrealistic. I’m thankful that my first exhibition turned out kind of successful, it had given me the confidence I needed.

 

I used to post my work in an online community and got invited to my first group art exhibition.

 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes and thank goodness! My family, relatives, and friends are all very supportive and open-minded about my choice of career. It’s lucky that I’m surrounded by loving and supportive people knowing that there are still many misconceptions about the whole artist thing here, you know not everyone is as open-minded.

 

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I would like to show my work in countries that I have never shown in previously. I would also like to collaborate with brands on fun projects.

 

I would like to show my work in countries that I have never shown in previously. I would also like to collaborate with brands on fun projects.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Bjork, I guess I don’t need to explain why here!

 

How would you describe the women around you?

They are strong women, especially my grandmother and my mom. My grandmother lost my grandfather when she was still young and she raised all 7 children single-handedly with the assistance of my mother for being the eldest among her siblings. I didn’t grow up in a rich family, my father was a hard-working and reliable man but life wasn’t easy back then, my mom also had to work to support our living when my brother and I were little. Meanwhile, she took good care of us and our home, yet she has never complained nor neglected housework. She is a competent housewife and a loving mother.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

I wish I knew better! I grew up in an era where the internet didn’t exist, plus I didn’t have the opportunity to be exposed to the creative world until I was old enough to work. I went to local schools which they didn’t really care about art education, art was considered unimportant and art class was sometimes substituted with other “more practical” classes. To be honest, I had never thought that I would become an artist one day!

 

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

So far, not much, maybe I’m lucky! It’s not gender-related, I have encountered challenges due to my chosen medium though, as digital art is still not a widely accepted art form here.

 

Believe in your work and yourself.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Oh yea, really, believe in your work and yourself. Though it also doesn’t hurt to listen to constructive criticism, it somehow enriches you. Most importantly, be humble and thankful!

 

 

Photos courtesy of Sonya Fu.