Whooli Chen: Artist Interview

It’s no surprise that exploring Whooli Chen’s work is like going on a fantastical narrative journey. When she’s not making pictures, she’s exploring literature and when she’s not doing that she’s immersed in music. Based in Taiwan and with an illustrative practice founded on subtlety and detail, we grabbed a few precious minutes for a quick-fire Q&A.

Many of our artists are lost without their sketchbooks, is that true of you?

I'm not the type who is constantly sketching. I usually only pick up a pencil when I'm about to seriously start a new piece.

Tell us about some recent enjoyable projects.

Two album covers for Apple Music. One was for Cantonpop, and the other for Mandopop. The creative process allowed for a lot of freedom, and the client even animated the finished works with great attention to detail.

What is your current workspace like?

My current studio occupies what used to be the living room. There’s a balcony that gets plenty of sunlight in the afternoon. The arrangement of my work desk and furniture is mainly based on my cat’s needs, so it’s quite chaotic. If possible, I’d like to try moving to the mountains for a year.

Do you have a clear idea from the start how an illustration might look, or does it evolve organically?

I usually have a vague idea about a new piece. Before I start drawing, I gather a lot of reference materials. The composition of my sketches gradually becomes clearer and doesn’t turn into something unexpected.

To whom do you owe your creativity?

Nobody. There are no artists in my family, except for my sister who is a graphic designer.

Did anyone outside the family inspire or encourage your creativity?

I feel that much of my early artistic inspiration came from what I encountered in various media. I loved art classes as a child, but I wasn’t particularly special in the eyes of my art teacher in elementary school . No one recognized or pushed my potential—I recognized it myself.

What would you love to work on next?

For the past few years, I’ve been hoping to have the opportunity to create patterns for artistic wallpaper.

Are there any other creatives out there you’d like to collaborate with?

I’ve always been a reader, and illustrating literary works has always been very appealing to me. I would love to create illustrations for my favourite authors, such as Marilynne Robinson, Virginia Woolf, Ocean Vuong, Angela Carter, and Eileen Chang. It could be for selected excerpts, not just book cover illustrations.

How did you develop your signature style?

It happened gradually and naturally. Initially, my artwork was rougher, with a handmade feel, leaning towards children's book illustrations. Over time, as I worked on more detailed and refined compositions, I began consciously capturing those characteristics, which gradually evolved into my current style.

How has your cultural background influenced you and your work?

I am easily drawn to Asian traditional painting styles, which have had a significant impact on my illustration work. However, during my student years, I perceived East Asian art as traditional and conservative. As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate the similarities between ancient Chinese claborate-style painting techniques and Eastern Gouache with my own work, which has made me regret my youthful ignorance.

You can drink in more of Whooli's beautiful work here.

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