Vancouver-based artist Fiona Yang poses with 3-D tiger mural. Credit: Provided
If this fierce-looking tiger makes you feel skittish, fret not – it’s only a drawing. Vancouver-based artist Fiona Tang creates large-scale murals of animals that appear three-dimensional. She uses a drawing technique called trompe l’oeil that tricks the eye into thinking that the subject is coming out of the paper
Metro catches up with the artist to learn about her process and technique.
Metro: What motivated you to make these murals?
Yang: I wanted to include my whole self and become one with my drawings. My drawings are about body movement and rhythm. I wanted to create life-size drawings large enough to transform the space. I was ultimately able to make these murals from the continuous encouragement and feedback I received from my mentors and friends.
Drawing is in itself a journey, a trip from getting lost in your work, detaching yourself and letting go to looking at it from afar… I choose my subjects based on what reflects my own self in the best way. The form, shape and energy of the animals inspires me to translate them onto paper.
Talk about the technique you use.
It’s trompe l’oeil, a technique that makes my drawings come alive by creating the illusion as if the animals are coming out of the paper. I use light and shadow to create depth, volume, and weight for my animals.
What is your favorite animal for the murals?
None in particular. I draw what best describes my state of mind and emotion.
Where have you submitted your murals?
I have submitted them to Vancouver’s Emily Carr University of Art + Design grad show, Concourse Gallery, Library Mezzaine Gallery, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond Art Columns, and the Telus World of Science.
Would you like to see your murals on the streets of some cities?
Most definitely. I would love to see my murals on walls, alleys, obvious places, hidden places, canvases or not.
