An Interview with Hannah Sung
Hannah Sung is a Korean American visual artist whose work straddles the line between commercial and fine art. She is currently putting together a series of personal works that focus on promoting self-love, ending domestic abuse, sexual assault, and body positivity. View more of her work at https://www.hannah-sung.com.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your story?
I think fries are fascinating. But I find that curly fries are an abomination to humanity. When I am stressed, I eat Korean spicy ramen. I feel content to know that I conquered the spice game when I feel the burn as the ramen is leaving my body through a hole. Oh and I am not ashamed to admit that I am otaku. Where are my Sesshomaru gang at?
We are celebrating creators and their projects — whatever that might be. So, what’s your project?
I am an artist, a visual storyteller, a content creator, and a designer. I design fashion with my art. All of my pieces I design are to stand out and be colorful. And those are what I wear on my social medias, Tiktok and instagram.My main focus in art is to revisit my childhood; reconnecting with my ethnicity, my trauma, and my dream. Through my art, I intend to be a child forever.
Why do you feel passionate about your project?
I feel passionate about my projects because reconnecting to my childhood dream is something we forget while we are growing up. Society led us to forget what we have meant to be. We live in society where money and power control us and I myself can’t escape from reality either. So as long as money doesn’t dictate my artistic integrity, I try to relive my childhood dream through my art. Recently I am infatuated with the idea of ‘We All Have a Demon in Us.’ So I created ‘Demon Children’ as characters. They are childish looking demons that are inspired by an anime, ‘Demon Slayer’ characters. My ‘Demon Children’ may be spiteful, and cunning but they come from their innocence and hurtful past, just like many of us. I draw and design Asian inspired motifs and I incorporate them into fashion. And I just love seeing other people thriving in my designs, my Demon Children!
Three words to describe your work./craft.
Intricate, impulsive, and rebellious.
What impact do you intend for your project to have on others?
At the times of making intricate line work art, I am a serious artist, but many other times, I make silly art to make people laugh; I make humor out of my own trauma. You can’t change the past but you can laugh to cope. I am hoping that many others can relate with me. My main subject is about Asian art and my upbringing, feminism, and self-love. Call it my own therapy, but I am also hoping that many others can relate. I am aspiring to be an Asian woman who can give others a piece of mind through my art and fashion.
For some creators we’ve spoken to, they say the act of creating renews their energy and spirit. For others, it’s a ritual that calms them day-to-day. What does the act of creating do for you?
I definitely feel like I am renewing my energy and uplifting my spirit. Cleaning up is a part that I dread the most but I love the moment of being free through my art.
What advice do you have for other creators?
Just keep going! Don’t stop!
Who do you think is doing awesome work right now? Nominate another creator (or a few!) Feel free to include their instagram handles here as well so we can give them a shoutout directly!
I feel awesome! I just want to make more art and design fashion! I would like to nominate two creators. The first one is Melissa Ong, aka @Chunkysdead. She has inspired me in so many different ways. Although she is a comedian, her bold and unapologetic energy is so striking to me and so many other people out there. She has created a cult on tiktok and made it all over the news.I plan to make more designs and art that is inspired by her satire into fashion.
Another person I would like to mention is J.A.W. Cooper. She is the artist who motivated me to go for my artist dream. I met her as a commercial artist. I was scared to leave the Hollywood world to start my own artistic journey but she has encouraged me to be who I strive to be. I am forever grateful to her. If I hadn’t pursued my dream I would have regretted forever not knowing how happy I would have been today.
