Szu-Chieh Yun, a Boston-based artist and educator, recently led a collaborative mural project with over 170 children aged 6 to 12 at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) as part of their Community Arts Initiative.
The mural, titled “Into the Forest,” spans 37 feet and showcases the vivid imaginations of the young artists.
However, Yun noticed that many of the images the children created were frightening.
She recalled seeing multiple wolves and bears threatening the kids, along with a giant eyeball surveying the forest.
When Yun shared her observations with the children, they found the images amusing rather than alarming.
This prompted her to ask the kids how one might overcome fear and envision what lies beyond it.
Yun encouraged them to tap into their imaginations as a means of transformation.
She expressed, “They imagined their own forest and they saw something in their mind and brought it into the real world by making art out of it.
A way to overcome fear is to make room to imagine a pathway forward.
Just like they did in this project.”
The completed mural is currently on exhibit at the MFA until October 26.
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Yun moved to Boston at the age of nine.
She now resides in East Boston and serves as an adjunct professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
Yun describes her studio space within her live/work arrangement as a “cubicle,” where she performs small-scale tasks like stretching canvases.
For larger projects, she takes advantage of the facilities available at MassArt.
Yun’s journey as an artist began during her time at the Boston Arts Academy, where she met public artist Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs at Artists for Humanity.
Gibbs has been a mentor to her since she was 14, guiding her in leadership, collaboration, and public art.
The artist’s practice saw a major resurgence during the pandemic.
Just before the lockdown, she returned to Boston from Shanghai, where she had taught elementary school art.
Facing uncertainties in job applications, Yun realized she needed to dedicate time to her own painting.
This led to the creation of her series “Rage & Ecstasy,” which examines the societal phenomenon surrounding the Karen meme — where a white woman uses her privilege against a person of color.
In this emotionally taxing work, she embodies the character of Karen caught in a moment of rage in public spaces, stating, “They were very emotionally taxing.
I grew a lot of white hair.”
Conversely, Yun found solace in creating beaded artworks, which she describes as almost spiritual.
The process of beading feels akin to drawing, as she connects various pieces together.
Now, she incorporates sparkling beaded elements into her paintings.
Her exhibition “Rage & Ecstasy” is set to open at Simmons University’s Trustman Art Gallery this September.
Reflecting on her creative process, Yun emphasizes the importance of beginning with hands-on work and allowing personal journeys to inform the artwork.
She encourages artists to tap into their playfulness, asserting, “The reason why they’re on this journey is to play.
Let that lead them to the next thing.”
image source from：bostonglobe
