We recently connected with Irene Chung and have shared our conversation below.

Irene , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest risk I’ve taken recently was deciding to move to New York City. Growing up watching American TV shows like *Friends*, *Sex and the City*, and *Gossip Girl*, I was always captivated by New York’s vibrant aesthetics and art scene. After graduating from RISD in June, I relocated to NYC that summer without any concrete plans. To my surprise, the transition has been smoother than anticipated. The city is filled with talented creatives who support one another, and opportunities seem to arise in the most unexpected ways.

Irene , 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?

Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, I always loved drawing, and my friends knew me as the “art girl.” Although I cherished art, I initially saw it as more of a hobby than a career path. I pursued Health Sciences and Journalism at Boston University, aiming to become a journalist. However, after two years in a newsroom, I couldn’t shake my desire to pursue art professionally. So, after graduating from Boston University in 2022, I made a pivotal decision to enroll in the MFA Illustration program at the Rhode Island School of Design.

After two years of graduate school at RISD, I moved to NYC to pursue my creative career. I worked with various media companies, publications, brands, and film production companies. I am working on a book that will hopefully come out next year.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

During my final year at RISD, I created a book exploring women’s guilty pleasures and held a book signing event at Symposium Books in Providence. During the event, a guest asked if I considered being an artist to be a guilty pleasure. This question lingered with me, and after reflecting on it, I realized that the term “guilty pleasure”—or perhaps “pure pleasure”—aptly captures my feelings about being an artist. The freedom to express myself visually, delve into research that personally resonates, and connect with inspiring individuals makes the creative process profoundly rewarding.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

It’s important to approach art with a mentality of appreciation and support. Consider buying or renting movies you want to watch, attending art fairs, and purchasing prints directly from artists. Even small gestures, like sharing kindness on social media, can make a difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://irenechung.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenechung.art/

Image Credits

All rights reserved to Irene Chung