Meet Emily Chu | Illustrator & Visual Artist

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

Hi Emily, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am an illustrator and visual artist. Born in Beijing and currently residing in Amiskwaciwâskahikan / Treaty 6 territory (Edmonton, Canada). My arts practice is includes commercial illustration, visual arts, and community-centred arts. As a child of immigrants, my artist journey is one of storytelling and connection. Outside of my role as an illustrator and visual artist, I organize community-arts initiatives such as art markets, community-art events in Chinatown, and I am engaged in equity/inclusion initiatives in the local arts community. I aim to create artworks that celebrate shared histories and experiences, through mediums of murals, public art, children’s books, branding illustration, and more.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My commercial illustration side focuses on branding illustration, magazine illustration, murals, children’s books – Client driven work. I enjoy the challenges of commercial illustration, and I am passionate about visual communications and storytelling. I believe in the power of the Arts – Using art as the universal language to advocate for a kind and diverse future of cultural exchange. Some of these projects include neighbourhood mural maps at ATB Branches, educational illustrations for the University of Alberta’s Sexual Assualt Centre, and I also illustrated a children’s book about voting (will be released in early 2023).

I also self-direct and work on personal projects that explore my identity. In recent years, I’ve created artworks that call for the heritage preservation of Edmonton’s Chinatown, as many Chinatown’s across the world face threats of cultural erasure. One project allowed me to draw on-location last summer in Chinatown, documenting structures/businesses in the current day. Those drawings became a series of art prints and cards. I also founded a side-project “Chinatown Greetings” that makes space for artists to bring positive attention to our Chinatown. This summer, I am painting murals – One will be at the Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre.

I also vend and help organize a twice-a-year local art & craft market, the Royal Bison Art & Craft Fair. I also currently serve on the Edmonton Arts Council Equity Committee. So a lot of things keep me busy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am based in Edmonton. My favorite spaces are: The ravines and river valley (a great spot to take my kiddo), the Strathcona Farmers’ Market and Downtown Farmer’s Market, All Happy Family Restaurant in Chinatown, and the new Stanley A. Milner library in Downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

So many!

First of all, my family has been very supportive of my career since the beginning. I was supported with art classes, trips to attend portfolio reviews, research, and connections. My partner has also been my anchor, allowing me in my earlier career to dedicate my time to my craft, supporting me in quitting my part-time jobs, and encouraging me to take opportunities.

As a longtime vendor of a local art & design fair, I have come to know so many talented creatives. Each gives me inspiration to challenge myself further. And my home is now filled with incredible local goods. Some fellow local creatives who I am grateful for (and am inspired by) are: Vikki Wiercinski, Smokey Draws, Andrew Benson, Nisha Patel, the entire team at Glass Bookshop, Tracy Niven (Lonely Coyote)… to name a few, far too many to be able to include in 1 interview!

And to even more creative folks who teach and inspire me in community-centred work in Chinatown: the members of Aiya (Grace Law, Shawn Tse, Lan Chan-Marples, Wai-Ling Lennon), Kathryn Lennon, Daniel Hackborn, Jordon Hon. Again, I can go on and on!

I also wish to give a shoutout to the Edmonton Arts Council, who has supported many of my projects, offered resources, and works hard to sustain a kind and inclusive community of care for all artists in my city.

Website: heyemilychu@gmail.com

Instagram: heyemilychu

Twitter: heyemilychu

Facebook: heyemilychu

Image Credits
Portrait is by Jordon Hon. Market Photo is by Nicholas Yee.