Q&A with artist Eunhae Yoo
May 18, 2021 – [[read-time]] minute read
Based in Los Angeles, Eunhae Yoo is a visual artist known for her conceptual design and 3D works. We spoke with Eunhae, the artist behind the artwork for YouTube’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month campaign.
What was your inspiration behind the art you created for the campaign?
Eunhae Yoo: The main concept was inspired by traditional Asian landscape paintings and fashion designer Minju Kim’s fantastical illustrations. Most noticeably, many of the patterns were inspired by rich and diverse motifs found in various Asian and Pacific Islander artifacts. Plus, all the representational elements symbolize the creativity of AAPI talents on YouTube.
Can you describe a few of the elements within the piece and why you chose them?
Eunhae Yoo: The bordered, abstract shapes with façades of patterns inspired by Pacific Islander art are my playful interpretation of mountain ranges – often floating like islands among a sea of clouds – that are commonly portrayed in East Asian paintings. Also pulling inspiration from my childhood memories of Korean fables and East Asian tapestry, the clouds are a contemporary take on cloud patterns that I’ve always found whimsical. The more representational elements like the dumbbells, mascara brush, and headphones are objects that give a nod to the AAPI YouTube creators and artists who are featured in the video playlist for APAHM.