Beautiful Abyss: The Art of Janice Sung
Illustrator-turned-fine artist Janice Sung’s figures seem at home amidst natural settings, whether in a lily pad pond or a garden, floating like a near-translucent milk specter. Her recent gallery showing at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles, the first using physical media by the artist. While you can definitely see the influence of one of her inspirations Yoshitaka Amano in her work, but Sung wields a subtly, sensitivity to natural elements and illusive mystery in her works that is all her own which seems to that spring from a different place. We asked the artist a few questions about her new body of work and about transitioning from digital to physical media.
In your new work the Abyss, there’s a figure seen floating, mostly submerged, surrounded by koi fish. She seems to have a suspicious expression on her face. Her lips are as bright as an adjacent koi. Can you tell us what she might be thinking? It seems that she has a story to tell…. Should we trust her intentions?
“The Abyss” holds a unique significance for me, she was the third piece of the collection. I envision her as a mystical being dwelling in the depths of the waters, accompanied by her koi companions. I deliberately shroud her intentions in ambiguity, inviting viewers to approach her with caution, mirroring the experience of those who encounter her. Her form is not constrained by human likeness; instead, it can be entirely unconventional.
You utilize large areas of negative space in your paintings. Is composition forefront to your art making process?
Yes, composition plays a pivotal role in my painting process, serving as one of the cornerstones that unites the entire piece.
The figures in your paintings, although mostly unclothed, wear interesting ornate jewelry. Do you design the jewelry yourself? Do they exist? and , i not will they?
I love browsing through magazines and Pinterest as a source of inspiration for the jewelry pieces featured in my paintings. I enjoy combining elements from various ornate pieces to create unique designs that complement the subjects. The idea of developing a jewelry line in the future sounds very exciting.
You’ve recently moved from working mostly digitally to working exclusively in physical mediums. What was this change like for you?
I started painting with gouache and watercolor when I was 7, which fostered a deep love for these mediums. I picked up digital painting in college and enjoyed its convenience and versatility. While transitioning back to traditional mediums in 2023 wasn’t too challenging due to my familiarity, each piece now demands a substantial amount of time—often spanning weeks. This is a big contrast from the quick turnaround of my digital works, which could be completed in just a few hours or a day. I would say the most significant adjustment has been cultivating patience, but the discipline and growth that traditional mediums provide are worth it.
Does gouache give you the most flexibility? I always appreciated its vibrancy, but am always alarmed in the way that the colors dry differently than they initially appear…
The Abyss collection is primarily painted with watercolor and colored pencils, with gouache and poster color used solely for the black backgrounds. I chose watercolor for its translucency, which adds a porcelain-like quality to the characters.
Are the plants and animals depicted in your paintings chosen for specific reasons?
My choice of animals or plants for my paintings is often decided on their impact on the composition and overall color palette. I select flora and fauna that enhance the overall cohesion and visual flow of the piece.
Do you research the botanical elements, are they specific to a certain region that you are referencing? Are any native to Victoria, Canada?
I do, I absolutely love cultivating plants and flowers. Despite having moved to Victoria only a year ago, much of the foliage in my paintings is inspired by the lush greenery of the island, many of them can even be found in my backyard.
I see an affection for Neoclassical, Baroque and Renaissance art, as well as traditional Chinese and Japanese paintings in your paintings… Would you like to share a few favorite artists or works that have inspired you?
Of course! This is always a tough question for me because my favorites tend to change often. However, some artists who have remained my inspirations over the years include Ferdinand Keller, Gustav Klimt, and John William Godward. For this collection in particular, Yoshitaka Amano was a great source of inspiration.
You can see more of Janice Sung’s new body of work at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles.
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