Home Is Where The Art Is: Fiona Chinkan

Fiona Chinkan is a New York City based artist. She began her signature style of drawings in 2001, as a way to accompany graffiti lettering she was exploring at the time. Over the years, she has developed the lines and forms as a means to express herself and interpret the world around her. She graduated cum laude in 2007 from the University of Hartford Art School with a BFA concentration in Visual Communication Design, minors in Photography and Art History. She moved to New York City post graduation to pursue a career in graphic design and worked as a digital art director in the fashion industry for 10 years before deciding to pursue art full-time. Fiona creates out of her Brooklyn-based studio.

BROOKLYN, NY- Before social distancing guidelines were set in place, Fiona Chinkan had been gearing up to participate in several art fairs. Now with her exhibition schedule having slowed down, the pace of her studio practice has done the same- providing her with more time to reflect upon the direction of her work:

“Since those [shows] have been cancelled as a result of the virus, I feel as if I’ve slowed down on the studio work. I create something, hang it on the wall then come back to it the next day after contemplating it. I see many people have the time now to do creative challenges, which I totally respect. But I’ve definitely took this time to rest more and sit in thoughtfulness with my work. With that said, it hasn’t stopped me from going into the studio every day.”

Fiona notes that she’s long preferred to create at home- even before it became a necessity:

“In the past, I've tried to work outside my home, but have found it difficult to find a rhythm as I'm the type to roll out of bed, do some stretches, make a tea and go right into the studio (yes, in my PJs! I just throw an apron over what I'm wearing and go at it).”

It doesn't hurt that she maintains a cheery studio environment, enjoying the company of her trusted studio turtle Jamie, surrounding herself with aquired objects that invoke special memories, and keeping a solid round-up of music and podcasts on cue.

First there’s Jamie:

“ I've had her for 19 years! How did I end up with her? A friend of mine bought her in Chinatown (NYC) in the early 2000's and his parents wouldn't let him keep her. So I said I'd watch her until he talked them into it and told my parents I was ‘pet sitting’. Well, she's been with me ever since. She went to Art School with me and moved to New York City with me 11 years ago. She's really sweet and has her own unique shell patterns, so I think she matches my art.”

Then there’s the accumulation of inspirational items that fuel her creativity and positive approach:

“I like to surround myself with feel good items, such as trinkets from my travels, photos of family/friends & art pieces I've collected over time from other artists. Whenever I see an exhibition I like, I'll pick up a postcard from it and that ends up on my inspiration board. It's fun to look back at shows I saw 5+ years ago then feel inspired to create because of that.”

Jazz, lo-fi Hip Hop and “Chilled Cow” on Youtube serve as her musical inspiration, while Neil Degrasse Tyson’s StarTalk Radio is her go to podcast. He “talks all things cosmos along with a comedian co-host and brings in expert guests to discuss all sorts of topics related to the universe,” she explained.

When it’s time to break from the studio, she’s currently getting her steps in via “pacing around her living room” instead of her routine afternoon walk outdoors, adhering to New York’s stay-at-home orders. 

Fiona’s commitment to self-care during this time serves as a worthy lesson to us all: 

”I'm trying to make the time to rest since I'm immune suppressed (autoimmune disease: Spondylitis) and it's important at a time like this to keep my health as best as I can. But I think it's important for everyone to take moments to rest and relax during a stressful event like this.”

As she continues to work from home, we have a new series, “Communication Between Forms,” to look forward to:

“I’ve been pushing myself to step away from the usual process, which was: draw a shape and fill in the shape. Instead I’ve been creating organic forms then deciding to activate the negative space as if the forms were communicating with each other. I think this stemmed from the idea that many viewers see “language” in my mark-making despite it being abstract. A background in graphic design and a love for typography were foundations in the creation of what I refer to as my “unique brushstroke”. So I had been considering how do I honor that in an abstract painting and given we are social distancing, I felt compelled to create work about communication.”

Learn more about Fiona’s work by visiting her website http://www.fionac.nyc or following her on Instagram at @fionac.nyc