This past weekend, LA-based artist Sylvia Ji opened a new body of work, La Catrina, at Corey Helford's new CHG Circa space in Culver City. Featuring 23 new works, the exhibition exorcises the contemporary, where the past remains an ongoing force, grounding the present with an unworldly vibrance. We talked to Sylvia about her new work...

 

Where are you living and working right now?

 

Living and working in Los Angeles, CA

 

Least favorite part of making art? And your favorite part...

 

Least favorite would be deadlines and answering emails. The favorite part is the time in the studio seeing a piece from beginning to end.

 

Favorite medium to work with?

 

Acrylic. I've also been into acrylic inks lately. I definitely love working on wood.

 

Last art show / exhibition you saw:

 

I'm guilty of not seeing any shows during the past few months, but I try to keep up online. I think the last show would be Lola's show at Circa and the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the De Young in San Francisco.

If you could collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be?

 

I'd love to study color with Maxfield Parrish.

 

Artist(s) that inspire you?

 

I love the illustrations of Brian Wildsmith right now

 

What time of day are you most productive?

 

Morning and day, I've become less of a nightowl.

 

Currently listening to?

 

Just downloaded a new Paul Banks album

How do you take your coffee?

 

Lots of cream, lots of sugar on some days, black others.

 

Last meal?

 

A dozen oysters at L & E

 

Last three places you have lived?

 

Rowland Heights, downtown Los Angeles, and now Hollywood

 

Last time you traveled? To where?

 

Portland, OR for a friend's steampunk wedding.

What website(s) do you visit most often?

 

Facebook, Yahoo, Topshop

 

Website you're most ashamed that you visit daily?

 

PerezHilton, what can I say?

 

A quote that has stuck with you?

 

"You can sleep when you're dead" - my Dad quoting Bond

 

The most trivial thing you know?

 

Cat's whiskers are equal to the width of their body

High school GPA?

 

I don't remember

 

Least artistic award you've received?

 

I don't remember, sorry!

 

Oddest job you've done to make rent?

 

Stripper Lingerie Designing

 

Alliance or Horde?

 

Horde

 

Sylvia Ji

La Catrina

On View through December 1, 2012

CHG Circa

8530-A Washington Boulevard

Culver City, CA 90232