We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lay Hoon Ho a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lay Hoon, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
As a young child, I remembered my parents nurturing my budding interest in art and creativity. My mom, especially, noticed how colouring books kept me happily occupied for hours, and she showered me with countless colouring books to fuel my imagination.
At just 6 years old, my world changed when my mom spontaneously signed me up for a children’s coloring competition while shopping at the mall. I’ll never forget the anticipation as we awaited the results. Though I didn’t make it to bronze or silver, I couldn’t believe my ears when they announced my name for the gold! That memory remains etched in my heart to this day.
Back at home, my parents continued to support my creative exploration. At the age of 10, they agreed to let me take formal art lessons, and I delved deeper into my passion for five years. Those lessons were like stepping stones, guiding me further along my artistic path.
But as I reached my late teens, their concerns about the practicality of pursuing art as a career in Malaysia arose. They worried about the financial challenges I might face, fearing for my future. It was really hard hearing that although I had spent years immersing myself in the arts, my parents were not supportive of me pursuing it as a career and I decided to pack up my childhood dream and give up on art completely. After 16, I stopped creating art for many year and did not rediscovered it until my mid twenties.
Lay Hoon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Lay Hoon, but you may know me by my moniker Arty Guava. I was born in Malaysia and currently reside in Vancouver, Canada. My creative journey encompasses a diverse range of mediums, including digital art, traditional painting, large-scale murals, and digital art installations.
After obtaining a degree in Bioengineering, I decided to follow my passion and pivot towards the creative industry. For a decade, I called Singapore home and had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with renowned brands like Heineken, Shiseido, and SK2, primarily focusing on branding and packaging projects. In 2019, my family and I made the life-changing decision to migrate to Canada, and during the pandemic, I reignited my artistic practice.
To my delight, my work gained recognition and popularity, leading to commissions from notable brands such as Coach, Herschel, Society 6, Ong Shunmugam, and Frankie Magazine.
Drawing inspiration from my childhood in Malaysia, nature’s beauty, and the world of dance, I infuse my designs with vibrant flowers, celebratory poses, and animals roaming freely in the wild. My art exudes a buoyant lust for life, sprinkled with a touch of fantasy. Through my creations, I hope to express my desire for more harmony in the world, encouraging people to live in harmony with each other, nature, the environment, and themselves.
Over the years, themes like sisterhood, dance as a form of liberation, balance, and self-care have been central to my creative process. Each piece of art I create radiates joy and positivity, reflecting my deep passion for life and my love for the world around me.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I had an Instagram account from the early days, over 10 years ago when Instagram was just starting out. Back then, I tried posting random art and trendy illustrations, hoping to find my creative voice, but nothing seemed to click. I struggled to figure out what I wanted to communicate through my art and lacked a distinctive aesthetic that truly represented me. It felt like I was floating without a clear direction, unsure of what truly drove me.
Everything changed when I moved to Canada, a significant turning point in my life. It was a challenging time filled with homesickness, social isolation, and the added pressure of juggling a full-time job without childcare during the global pandemic. The uncertainty of the future added to my mental struggle, leaving me feeling overwhelmed.
During this trying period, I turned back to my artistic practice as a way to find some solace and peace amidst the chaos. Little did I know that this would be the moment when everything fell into place. For the first time in my life, I felt a surge of clarity about the kind of art I wanted to create.
I realized that I wanted my art to bring happiness and remind me of home, capturing the essence of freedom and human connections through dance. Celebrating sisterhood and empowering women became central themes in my work. This newfound sense of direction and purpose breathed life into my creations.
Coincidentally, it was during this time of self-discovery that my Instagram growth skyrocketed. Perhaps the authenticity and passion behind my art resonated with others, drawing them to my page. I didn’t set out with the intention of gaining followers, but rather, I sought refuge in my art during those difficult times.
As my art flourished, so did my connection with a like-minded community on Instagram. I found support, encouragement, and inspiration from fellow artists and art enthusiasts who appreciated the soulful message behind my creations.
Today, my Instagram account is not just a platform to showcase my art, but a space where I can authentically express myself and connect with others who share similar values and aspirations. I’m grateful for the challenges that pushed me towards clarity, and I’ve come to understand that being true to myself and creating art that brings me joy and meaning is the key to making an impact in the artistic world.
To all the artists out there, remember that your artistic journey may be filled with twists and turns, but stay true to your heart. Embrace your unique voice, and let your passion guide you. You never know when your artistic breakthrough might happen. Just keep creating and pouring your soul into your art – the rest will follow.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Growing up in Malaysia, I was surrounded by a practical environment where the idea of making a career as an artist seemed far-fetched. The stereotype of the ‘starving artist’ was deeply ingrained in society’s consciousness, and being an artist was often seen as a joke, implying that artists were not academically smart and did not contribute significantly to society.
I distinctly remember a particular English debate exercise that further solidified these negative associations. We were each assigned different occupations – doctor, engineer, and artist included. In the scenario, we were the last humans on Earth, riding on a hot air balloon that was sinking due to its weight. We were required to defend the importance of our respective occupations and how they would serve humanity in the future to secure a spot on the balloon. Unsurprisingly, the artist was one of the first individuals to be thrown off the balloon.
Living in such an environment, I found it challenging to embrace the title of an artist even when I chose to pursue an artistic career. The societal pressures and negative perceptions made it difficult for me to confidently call myself an artist. It became something I needed to unlearn over time.
As I grew into adulthood, I gained a deeper understanding of the true value of art. I came to recognize that art brings intangible joy and satisfaction to people’s lives, and joy is undoubtedly one of the highest attainable aspects of life. I realized that being an artist means being a creator of joy, and I am incredibly proud of that role.
I’ve come to understand that being true to myself and my passion for art is immensely valuable. As the creator of joy, I contribute to making the world a more vibrant and meaningful place, and that brings a sense of fulfillment like no other.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artyguava.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artyguava/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@artyguava https://www.pinterest.ca/artyguava/