Interview with Eastman

Interview Questions: Eastman

• About Eastman

Elise: Why do you become an artist? 

Eastman: Actually I have no interest to number and business. I studied art in secondary school and found that I like this field. I did not concern about career path when I select Fine Art in the university. I thought I can still be a teacher of Art after graduation if I would not be an artist.

Elise: Among various forms of art, why do you choose sculpture as main art form (especially soft sculpture instead of hard)? 

Eastman: After graduation, I worked as a designer in the company which is a clock manufacturer. I needed to prepare 3D design chart for clock production. I think it is interesting. It is totally different from my previous drawing which is just 2D only. There are certain angles in the chart. Then, I started to think of making art works in term of sculpture.

Elise: Your first soft sculpture is the series of Rubberman in 2004. Why do you select rubber to start your field in soft sculpture?

Eastman: Because of the flexible work mode in my design job, I had free time to do other things. Being a clock designer just allowed me to get in touch with plastic. Rubber is the thing that can be easily found in the office. It can be handled without specialized technique. It is affordable for me to buy rubber for creative work. With the impact of gachapon, I then made use of rubber and produced the series of “Rubberman”.

Elise: You mainly use wood and fabric to make art work now. Why do you select these two mediums from other materials? How the combination of these materials help you to express your idea?

Eastman: I used rubber in my early art works. Then I started thinking of trying other medium. For fabric, it is viewed as soft and powerless. My mother worked in the factory when I was young. She showed me how to make clothes. That’s why I have interest on fabric.

For wood, I love furniture. I think the form of it is very attractive. Furniture is mainly made by wood. And wood is hard and powerful. They are completely opposite. The combination of these materials would be very unique and come up with lots of products.

Elise: Your art works are tiny. Is it related to limited space in Hong Kong? Are you interested in making large art works?

Eastman: Well I really want to make large sculpture. I have already thrown away some of my art works because of less space in my new studio. Because of limited space and budget, tiny art works are more affordable and realistic. If support is given, I am pleased to make large sculpture.

Elise: Your art works are refined as real product. Are they practical or just used for appreciation? 

Eastman: Actually my works are just for appreciation. They do not have actual usage.

Elise: Do you face any difficulty in your career? What pursue you to persist your path in art?

Eastman: I was not a full time artist before I graduated from master of fine arts. I had support from my design job. Making art works was just for fun. There were many job opportunities through the network of school.

After graduation, I became a full time artist. Although the number of job opportunities decreased, I had more time to finish the works which could fully reflect my idea. I was in a hurry when I gained job before graduation as I also needed to deal with my design job.

I truly love art. I enjoy the procedure in making arts. So, I never regret to be an artist.

Elise: Among your art works, which one is the most critical in your art path? Why?

Eastman: I think the most critical one is the installation of “Swimming Pool”. I made tiny and flat art works before this installation. That was the first installation with 3D and large sculpture. I felt contented about that installation.

Elise: Most of your finished art works look like real furniture. Why do you have such intention to make the finished art works as "furniture"?

Eastman: As mentioned above, I love the form and shape of furniture. When I trace activity into real object, I would like to look like furniture.

About the series of "Desire"

Elise: What do you want to express from your art work? Is there any political, social message inside?

Eastman: Not really. All my works is from my personal life experience. I have no intention to involve any other message inside. They are made to amuse myself.

Elise: How can you come up with the idea of "Desire"? What is the source of inspiration? 

Eastman: Personal experience. I love to notice things surrounded. I think people have many desires. And that’s why I select few kinds of desire into my series.

Elise: Your art works are colorful and adorable. Are you affected by some social and cultural background? 

Eastman: I love eye catching colors. I think this would make me happy. And I believe it is useful to transmit positive idea.

Elise: Your art works are detailed and sophisticated. How can you develop good craftsmanship?

Eastman: My mother is an expert in manufacturing. I learn a lot from her. I keep pursuing advanced craftsmanship when I engage in art for a longer time. Practice is a good way for improvement.