Meet Priscilla Yu | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Priscilla Yu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Priscilla, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risks are situations involving possibility of failure as well as a possibility of reward. You don’t know what you don’t know, and to me, shifting my viewpoint of failure as being negative, into failure as data towards my goals, has been a valuable way for me to learn and grow personally as well as in my career.

Acknowledging that I’ve been privileged with friends, family, and a community who support/encourage me in taking risks, the leaps I’ve taken in my freelance art business have helped me shape the lifestyle and career of my dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator, and muralist working and living out of the unceded territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú 7mesh (Squamish), and Səl ̓ ı́ lwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC. My work is colourful, vibrant, and inspired by the perceivable patterns that exist in everyday life through textiles, design, and architecture, as well as nature’s universal patterns on both the larger and microscopic scale. Through abstracted points of perspective and a geometric language, I create worlds that dwell in a strange gravity.

I’m so grateful that I’m usually excited about most of my projects. I get to work with clients like Instagram, Facebook, 3M Scotch Tape, and Lululemon, and see my sketches and artwork come to life in a variety of forms.

My art career has given so many opportunities to grow personally. The sometimes financial insecurity and imposter syndrome as a creative freelancer can be incredibly stressful at times. My vision and a desire to grow my art career have motivated me to overcome anything from a fear of doing my taxes and public speaking, to getting comfortable in taking up space authentically, and accepting myself as a beginner (often every project has new things to learn). It’s also pushed me to keep my mental health in check, because it’s the only way that I’m able to thrive.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my friends to rent a Mobi Bike (https://www.mobibikes.ca/) and cycle the seawall either heading into Stanley Park or towards Granville Island.

Then dinner in Mount Pleasant, on Main Street. Probably Anh and Chi for cocktails and their delicious food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lauren Welland (@studiowelland)!!

She is the most supportive friend, coach, and cheerleader!

Website: www.priscillayu.ca

Instagram: http://instagram.com/priscillayuart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillayucreative/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-5JPiKYJBiy8Q2S_KrD52Q/videos

Other: https://vimeo.com/user101766567