Jason Yen

February 6-28, 2015

Adventures in Cardboard Relief

My artwork sometimes takes a critical view of social, political, cultural and personal issues. However, sometimes, there is no significant meaning at all – the works are to just be light-hearted and comical in a fictitious manner. My aim is usually just to see people smile in a clever way.

Using discarded materials such as cardboard picked-up from the street and junk-mail/magazines; my work is a way that I can recycle and be environmentally responsible. The way I produce my work is also very cost effective, as I do not spend a lot on the supplies necessary to finish the work. However, it takes many hours and patience to produce each piece.

The real value of my work comes from its uniqueness and complexity. It take hours of cutting and pasting, layering for dimension, and colorization of my work through meticulous collage. You can often find a variety of symbolism in the detail of the collage.

For his professional career, Jason Yen works as an Art Director. Yen designs publication and advertising layouts for three Washington, DC Community news magazines: Hillrag, Midcity DC, and East of the River. Yen does his cardboard art, as well as other projects, on the side as a way to relax and be creative without any boundaries. He used to have an artist studio in Mt. Pleasant, but now does his work out of his home. Yen has lived in Washington, DC for 11 years.