Meet Junjun Chen | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Junjun Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Junjun, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I feel taking risks can really help us to reach our potential and help us to achieve the goal we dream about. My teacher Marshall Arisman always told us to take risks when we paint or draw because if we always play safe cards, we cannot ever break through ourselves. I gave up my stable job two years ago and came to New York from China to study illustration. These two years of study and life have unknowingly improved my ability and vision. If I didn’t make this decision at the beginning, I might have lived a good life, but I prefer the stronger self now.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think it is hard work and persistence that got me to where I am today. Looking back, there were moments when I doubted whether I had the talent to draw when I couldn’t find a job related to illustration and whether I should consider illustration as my career choice. The road to pursuing dreams is long and difficult. Dreams are very fragile and precious, and they should be realized with actions and courage. If you decide to do this, don’t doubt yourself or be afraid of failure, use your own efforts to move forward and solve the problem little by little.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week-long trip? It’s really a luxury. Ha ha. I haven’t had such a long break since I came to New York. First go to lie down on the big lawn of Central Park, relax and breathe some fresh air. If it rains, go to the Metropolitan Museum. Be sure to go to the Bronx Zoo to see gorillas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank the SVA MFA Illustration Department for recognizing my work and ability and providing me with this valuable learning opportunity. I think this is where everything starts to change. At that time, when I applied, I didn’t feel that I could apply successfully. You must know that SVA’s illustration graduate program only recruits a maximum of 20 students a year! I would also like to thank a good friend of mine, Xin Tian. When I was very struggled about whether to continue my stable job or resign to study, she provided a very wise analysis, which strengthened my determination to study. It can be said that she was the one who pushed me at the critical moment.

Website: https://www.junjundraws.com/

Instagram: @junjundraws