Qimmyshimmy’s “Baby Food”
To bite or not to bite
First creative memory.
The Lion King was my first movie. Told parents I wanted to be an animator.
Disney is in California. My signature is “California.”
I’m rooted, still feel like the person I was 10 years ago.
Design.
Was a generalist, tried many mediums. After graduating Arts, Design, Media (ADM), wanted to pursue design in art: doing commercial work for artists, curators, exhibitions.
Wanted to move from graphic design into UX (user experience). Took my masters in information design in Netherlands. Information design organises floating data into something understandable. It’s archiving, storytelling.
Function over beauty.
I’m quite “Marie Kondo.” I like efficiency, solving problems, looking at my wardrobe and organising it differently: days, colours, tops-to-bottoms, etc.
Sculpture.
Realised I can create visuals which are pleasing to the eye, but forgettable. Under apprenticeship with Noise Singapore, wanted to do something wacky. With sculpting, I’m able to represent myself, be special.
In the past, astrologers, travelers were recognised as scientists. Why do we categorise animals? Am obsessed with Cabinet of Curiosity, wanted to make my version of that.
Sculpted animal fetuses — a baby, mermaid, dinosaur, chicken, dog — to explore how human interaction will change them in the future. Chicken’s won’t have feathers, dogs will be extra cute.
I’m hopeful of future, I believe people will save it. But I never persuade my audience to interpret my work as good or bad.
“Baby Food.”
Discovered people are neither good nor evil. I’m quite neutral, see both sides of arguments. I’m playing with duality: familiar versus surrealistic, beauty and horror, desire versus repulsion.
I approach it as series. For my first, I was walking past a bakery. Why are pastries so beautiful, delicate, perfect? I should screw them up.
For the Chinese food series, I was studying in Europe. There’s a misconception of what it is: head, legs, scary. It needed exposure. Had an offer to show in Australia, which is culturally western but has asians.
Sculpting helped me meet tattoo, gothic, dark artists. In person, they’re the nicest, most conservative people but can say the meanest, most horrible things.
Some think my work is genius, others think it’s satanic. I like openness of interpretation. If I explain it too much, someone will have the “wrong” answer.
“Instagram artist.”
Used to post on Facebook. Friends weren’t able to stomach it. *cue studio audience laughter* Decided to import my art to Instagram.
Mine was accidental success. Instagram currency is not real. I dislike the term. It boils down to intention. I don’t want it to appear like I’m that.
Why does your art work on Instagram?
It’s visually visceral. My work is “food,” “adorable,” photogenic, frightening.
My work’s been turned into fake news.
To eat or not to eat?
It’s like when people want to nibble baby hands because they’re so chubby.
Not eat. I’m not a psycho.
Art versus artist; are you trying to create disconnect?
In a way. People are surprised how “normal” I am. They expect someone more Lolita, goth, kawaii. I dress for my other life, in design.
People assume I do design to make money, art for escapism. I cannot live without both. Design is to benefit others, art is for myself.
