Tina Yu, a Chinese-raised, New York-based artist and designer, creates hand sculptures, which are used as pendants. These polymer clay pieces are painted with acrylics, and they move between delicate reflections of nature’s flora and fauna and something much bleaker.
The artist’s pop-surrealist touch also comes through in other sculptures, like “Kitty” sculptures, 2-dimensional work, and what she describes as “whimsical, creepy, fairytale figurines.” Her work has garnered more than 150,000 followers on Instagram, with several users emulating her figures with costumes.
Yu studied graphic design at Pratt Institute before moving into primarily creating sculptures. “I used to collect Barbies when I was little and growing up I was always fascinated with unique and one-of-a-kind ball jointed dolls,” she told the Creators Project in a November piece about the artist. “I never thought I would have the ability to make something like that but I also like to challenge myself. Luckily, instead of failing and giving up, I found my new passion.”
