In Andrea Wan’s subconscious

4 MN

In Andrea Wan’s subconscious

Internationnally renowned for her artistic visual work, Andrea Wan was awarded Western Magazine’s best illustration in 2013. A true globetrotter, she explores her subconscious to create aesthetically pleasing, as well as profound, visuals. In between two trips, Andrea let us journey into her mind.

dreamonbig2

Hi Andrea! What’s striking about you is your globetrotter side! You were born in Hong­Kong, grew up in Vancouver, studied for a while in Denmark and you now live in Berlin. Three continents, three cultures, three different influences: how is this cultural wealth useful to you?

I guess having lived and traveled in different place turned me an adaptable person. I’ve always been curious by other cultures and interested in meeting all kinds of people in general. Being open minded to new experiences and aware of the surroundings also bring constant new inspirations to my art.

Art has always been an interest to you, but you began with media. When did you realise you just had to draw?

At a very young age I was already interested in drawing and storytelling. I loved making story books just like the children books I read. It was a hobby of mine without being totally aware of it being “Art”. I studied filmmaking in an art school, and upon graduation I went back to making more drawings and decided pursue Illustration in Denmark. At that time I was more determined that drawing and painting was the best way to express my ideas.

According to you, illustration is the same as storytelling, it’s supposed to say something. Can you tell us a story, then, behind one of your drawings you particularly like?

I see my drawings rather as different scenes telling part of a story, but not the full story. For example, this piece named “Question about the future” depicts a scene with a group sitting around an Ouiija board. The characters called up a spirit and take turns to ask questions about the future, while the sloths are recording the whole scene with their devices and googling for answers. In a way the piece serves as an invitation to a “happening” to the viewers and let them question what roles the characters might play in the story.

questions

Your style is quite phantasmagorical and surrealistic. Apparently you like to observe the relationship between the conscious and the subconscious. How does this help you in your creative process? 

I realized that I work best when I have a general idea for a theme,  but without a specific plan on what to draw.  Leaving part of the process unplanned allows me to bring out part of my unconscious side, which is very important for my work. I like to look at my works after they’re done and analyse them as if I’m my own psychologist. Rather than being completely rational, I’d prefer to be instinctual in practice, as the work always turns out to be more honest in the end.

We can see this work on the subconscious in your Exploding Heads series, of which one of thedrawings is featured on our CASSE­TETE t­shirt from OLOW’s 2016 Spring Summer collection. What does this explosion mean for you?

An explosion of new ideas that stems from the past. 

The illustration you did for our MAILLE t­shirt is quite intriguing. Can you tell us what the hands you drew are knitting?

The hands are connecting humans an unexplainable way which sometimes feels predestinated. 

maille cassetete

You describe your art as being a “personal and visual journal”. How are you able to reconcile that very intimate side with the demands of the brands you work for?

In fact most brands I’ve worked for give me a lot of freedom into doing what I want, as they liked specifically the world I create. I’d also kindly reject works that doesn’t seem to fit my style in nature. Having said that, l do enjoy the challenge of illustrating things that I wouldn’t normally draw, because that often leads to new and unexpected ideas for my personal work. You never know!

We heard you were once a piano teacher. What musical genres help you work and think?

Yes! I had a classical background in music. I listen to a lot of indie bands but I like anything else that makes my ears happy, but it totally depends on my mood when I’m working.

Rome, Berlin, Stockholm, Vancouver, Portland, Paris, Hawaii, Miami, San Francisco… You have exhibited all over the world! What do you think is universal in your art, making it successful everywhere?

A lot of my work are emotionally driven, and those are basic human emotions that a lot of people can relate to either they are aware of them or not.  Also I guess most of us liked reading stories as kids, so I think my work might have provided a world for a lot of grown up kids (as well as little kids) to get lost in.

horsens1

As you have travelled a lot, you must have met quite a few people. Are there any artists in particular you’d like to tell us about?

Some creatives I’ve known for a while in Berlin are Johannes Mundinger, Rylsee, The Low Bros, Pablo Benzo and Alex Godwin (Billy) just to name a few – they are inspiring to me not only as artists but also as awesome human beings.

Which town will be welcoming your next exhibition?

I’m in a group exhibition at CASS contemporary in TAMPA, Florida. The next one will be at Spoke Art in San Francisco. At the moment I don’t have another solo exhibition planned yet. I’m taking time to experiment a little and develop my next series.

Many thanks to Andrea for her answers. You can follow her news on her website and her Facebook page.

MAILLE and CASSE TÊTE tee-shirts are available on our retail shops and our e-shop:

casse tete grey casse tete white maille ecru

– M.P

Interview réalisée par Valentin Porcher
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  4. You shall check the Goods and Services you Order, and if necessary, please identify and correct the error;

  5. Confirm the Order, the Total Price as well as the All-Inclusive Price (the “Order Confirmation”);

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After you have submitted an order, the Customer receives by email and without delay a confirmation of his approval of the Order.

The Customer also receives by email and without delay, a receipt of the order sent electronically, regarding as a confirmation of the order (“Order Confirmation”).

The Customer receives electronically, the confirmation that the Goods have been dispatched.

The delivery shall take place at the location indicated by the Customer at the time of the Order.

Additionally, by undertaking these different steps to Order, the Customer accepts to strictly comply with this Agreement, in accordance with section 1316-1 of the French Civil Code.

The Vendor undertakes to deliver the Goods and Services subject of the Order Confirmation. In the event that a Good ordered is unavailable, the Vendor will promptly inform the Customer about this.

However, under section L.122-1 of the French Consumer Code, the Vendor reserves the right to cancel your Order if the Order is abnormal, involves bad faith or for any other reason that is under the sole discretion of the Vendor. The Vendor also reserves the right to reject orders from any customer with whom the Vendor have an ongoing legal dispute regarding a prior order.

Free delivery and exchange offered

For orders over €120, delivery is free.

Returns are free from France thanks to our prepaid label.

Prices and delivery times

Shipping cost

Collection points: €5

Home delivery with signature: 7.5€

Free delivery for orders over 120€

Delivery time

2-4 working days

Allemagne, Autriche, Belgique, Bulgarie, Chypre, Danemark, Espagne, Finlande, Grèce, Hongrie, Italie, Malte, Pays-Bas, Pologne, Portugal, République Tchèque, Suède, Ukraine

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €9.5

Free delivery for orders over 120€.

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4-7 working days

Andorre, Biélorussie, Croatie, Islande, Monaco, Norvège, Royaume-Uni, Russie, Suisse, Turquie

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €9.5

Free delivery for orders over €120

Delivery time

5-8 working days

Bahamas, Canada, États-Unis, Mexique

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €15

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

5-9 working days

Argentine, Brésil, Chili

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €27

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

6-9 working days

Arabie Saoudite, Bahreïn, Chine, Corée du Sud, Émirats Arabes Unis, Hong-Kong, Indonésie, Israël, Japon, Malaisie, Qatar, Singapour, Taiwan

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €24

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

4-7 working days

Australie, Nouvelle-Zélande

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €27

Free delivery on orders over €120.

Delivery time

6-10 working days

Returns

You have received your order but the product does not suit you?

You can return your products within 15 days of receiving your package, for any order.

For the festive season, the deadlines are extended to 30 days.

The items must not have been worn, washed or damaged and must be returned in their original packaging, in perfect condition for resale.

How do I return my package from France?

Return shipping from France is free via Mondial Relay.

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, all you have to do is stick your pre-paid label (provided at the time of delivery) on the package, insert the completed returns form in the parcel and drop it off at a Mondial Relay point.

How can I return my package (International online returns)

International return packages are at the customer’s expense (including cost of shipment by the chosen carrier, customs & duties, taxes, etc.)

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, simply download the return form and place it in your package. 

  6. Send your package to the address indicated on the return form.

Want to make a return request with a guest account?

It's very easy : contact us by email at service-client@olow.fr indicating your order number, the items you wish to return and whether you wish to request a refund, a credit note or an exchange.

How long does it take to get my money back once my package has been sent?

Refunds will be made within 10 days of receipt of your items and automatically to the account associated with the credit card used for payment or to the Paypal account used for payment.

Is it possible to return my item in the shop?

No, for all internet orders, returns can only be made to the address mentioned above.

What can I do if my item has a defect?

We take great care in the manufacture and finishing of our products. However, if you wish to report a manufacturing defect on a product, we invite you to contact our customer service by e-mail: service-client@olow.fr.

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