Mizzonk is the collective name of the artist duo Wan-Yi Lin and Roger Chen, both Taiwanese Canadians and graduates of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
Based in the Greater Vancouver Area in BC, Canada, with combined training in Fine Art and Architecture, Lin and Chen co-create objects, wall art, sculpture, installations, and participatory art projects.
The duo's art, quiet and often introspective, is born out of living in a seclusive and natural environment for many years. Their artworks are outcomes and documentation of the paths to deepen their connections with the inner self. Growing up in Taiwan, where the basics of ancient Chinese philosophical thoughts were taught in school and incorporated into day-to-day life, they view the self as interconnected, not separate. They believe the practice of inner development at an individual level can foster a compassionate society and culture at a collective level. Their participatory art projects often intend to bring one closer to the inner self.
Mizzonk studio has received several awards, including the Accent on Design Award, a design industry award held in New York City, and the TID Award of Space Installation Art held in Taipei, Taiwan. Mizzonk’s desktop works were carried by museum stores, including the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC. Recent projects by Mizzonk include a one-year-long participatory art project in Maple Ridge, BC, the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition in La Conner, WA, the TID Award Exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, a solo installation at the Center on Contemporary Art in Seattle, WA, an ongoing billboard art project and a participatory public art project in Pingtung, Taiwan, a public art installation presented by Artscapes in Tacoma, WA, an ephemeral installation outside of the Seattle Center and an exhibition presented by the Dimension Endowment of Art in the 2019 Edition of Art Taipei in Taipei, Taiwan.
Wan-Yi Lin
Wan-Yi Lin, the co-founder of Mizzonk, received her Master of Fine Arts from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Wan-Yi works with clay, paper, sand, and found objects. She loves to be in her garden, stroll in nature and is fascinated by the human mind.
Roger Chen
Roger Chen, the co-founder of Mizzonk, received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Since his degree, Roger’s intense curiosity has led him to pursue a path of independent and dedicated study, which has resulted in the accumulation of extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in creating small to large-scale work. He is skilled in design, problem-solving and working with a wide range of materials. He loves gardening, cooking, fishing, photography and collecting old and beautiful things.
Statement
Living on 6-acres of land in a natural, rural setting has undeniably changed us in many ways. Nature is a powerful force that leads us to self-discovery. When listening to the sound of our running creek and watching ripples effortlessly travel in our pond, it is impossible not to be present and to feel awe.
Our works are the outcome of intuitive curiosity and self-discovery, processes that are inspired by living in abundant quietude and solitude. Amid a secluded life, the path leading to self-finding emerges naturally. Mindfulness and truthfulness come hand in hand, both deepening our connection with the inner self. This increasing feeling of depth helps us centre ourselves when facing challenges in life.
The themes in our artwork emerge from observing the impact on our minds of an ever-changing environment and are also driven by our own journey in life as we experience self-perception, thoughts of conflict, search for meaning, and a desire to find peace.
Using a variety of materials such as wood, clay, paper, sand, concrete, metal, found objects and text, we create installations, wall art, objects, sculptures and participatory art. Most recently, we have incorporated photography, video, sound and performance in our installation artwork.
Artist Talks
In the following two Artist Talks, we share our history, a few examples of our works in design and art, and our life on Six Acres.
Mizzonk Artist Talk in English on Jan. 29, 2022, moderated by Nan Capogna, curator of the Richmond Art Gallery, hosted by the Richmond Art Gallery, BC in Canada.
Mizzonk Artist Talk in Mandarin on Feb. 5, 2022, moderated by Henry Heng Lu, Executive Director + Curator of Centre A, hosted by the Richmond Art Gallery, BC in Canada.