10 Questions with Broly Su
Born and raised in Changsha, Hunan, China, Broly Su is an Atlanta-based illustrator and graphic designer. With an MFA degree in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Broly creates most of his work digitally, taking inspiration from hip-hop music, graffiti, sneakers, toys, and street culture. Heavily influenced by artists like Kenny Scharf, Steven Harrington, and Gang Box, Broly creates in a consistent style working with ink, acrylic, posca markers, and ballpoint pens to achieve his bold-lined and graffiti drawing style. Received his BFA degree in Graphic Design from Indiana University, Broly expands his work and applies it to graphic design, so the artwork becomes an important communication tool that bridges viewers and the artist himself.
Some of Broly’s clients include ABV Gallery, Adult Swim, Lexus, Tesla, Top Shelf Atlanta.
Broly’s work has received awards from 3x3, American Illustration, Applied Arts, China Illustration Biennial, Communication Arts, Creative Quarterly, Graphis, International Design Awards, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, and World Illustration Awards.
Broly Su - Portrait
INTERVIEW
Let's talk about yourself first. Why are you an artist, and how did you become one?
Growing up in Changsha, Hunan, China, I experimented with a variety of activities, including capturing grasshoppers, playing the guitar, and calligraphy. I was uninterested until I picked up a pencil at the age of 4 and drew a wiggly bee, after which I drew 100 works of art that year. Then I stopped for a while until I started college. My mind was pushing me to study something like graphic design, so I decided to give it a shot without considering how challenging this major could be in the future. Every time I created a design, though, I felt compelled to utilize illustration, so I attended graduate school at the Savannah College of Art and Design to earn an MFA degree in Illustration, knowing that if I maintained doing something I enjoyed, the work would eventually pay off. As a Graphic Illustrator for Digiday and an independent illustrator represented by Spinning Yarn Illustration Agency, who accepts commissions from clients and galleries, Currently, I am completely supported by my full-time creative work, which is uncommon among my peers.
Random Combo 1, Digital illustration, 10x10 in, 2022 © Broly Su
How would you define yourself as an artist? And how did this definition evolve over the years?
My work reflects my personality in that it is straightforward, bold, and vibrant. I was highly inspired as a child by street culture, including hip-hop music, graffiti, tattoos, and collectible toys. As a result, as my work evolves throughout the years, I strive to connect it to its original inspiration and produce art that reflects my genuine personality.
Why did you choose illustration specifically over other mediums?
Illustration is my preferred artistic medium because it is in constant demand. Illustrations are ubiquitous and act as a bridge between the non-creative public and fine art viewers. The market provides me with the value needed to pursue my creative profession.
Low Carbon Youth, Digital illustration, 32x16 in, 2022 © Broly Su
One to Zero, Ink on paper, 24x36 in, 2022 © Broly Su
What messages are you trying to communicate with your art? And what do you think differentiates your approach from others?
Although the messages vary from piece to piece, the underlying themes of my work are always positivity and perseverance. Through my work, I want to expose my audience to both the bright and dark sides of the world and offer them energy. Given my street-culture upbringing, my technique is distinctive, and I maintain a creative process that is nearly identical to how I drew at the age of four: heavy, bold outlines with a colorful palette and an occasional dash of dark humor.
In your statement, you mention artists like Kenny Scharf, Steven Harrington, and Gang Box, as your inspiration. But you also mention street culture, hip-hop music, graffiti, sneakers, collectible toys, and tattoo culture. How do you incorporate these many references in your work?
Deep within I feel that all elements are cohesively connected. With a hip-hop inspired drawing, streetwear clothes might coexist in the same composition, and the figure could be clutching a vintage sofubi toy that gives the image a sense of individuality. I believe each element might be positioned in a way that guides the viewer's gaze across my works.
Besides street culture, you also work with big brands like Adult Swim, Lexus, and Tesla. How does your approach to art change depending on the project?
When working with clients who don't often associate themselves with street culture, I consider what would make more sense for their brands to exist. When I worked with Tesla, for instance, I ensured that the subject matter was closer to their brand's portrayal and added my own style on top. Frequently, an artist is unable to create something he or she is familiar with, but it is always essential to get it closer to his or her unique style.
Traplanta, Digital illustration, 8.5x11 in, 2022 © Broly Su
How has your art evolved over the years? And what inspired you to experiment?
My art has grown over the years as I have experimented with and developed my visual imageries on numerous mediums, such as digital, canvas, wood, T-shirts, and readymade things such as shoe boxes, photography, and books, while merging all of these inspired components into my style. I believe that curiosity and the desire to explore different outcomes that I have never seen before is the driving force.
What about NFTs and digital art? Are you incorporating this medium in your production as well?
The majority of my work is digital, and I look forward to converting it into NFTs. For the time being, I am more focused on producing more art than selling it, as I feel the sale will occur at the appropriate moment.
Random Combo 2, Digital illustration, 10x10 in, 2022 © Broly Su
Random Combo 3, Digital illustration, 10x10 in, 2022 © Broly Su
As the Crypto market has had a significant crash since the end of the pandemic, do you think this is the beginning of the end for NFTs?
I am unsure if NFTs will ever be as popular as they were when they were originally introduced, but I am positive that there is still a substantial demand for physical art.
Lastly, what are your plans for the future? Do you have any exhibition or collaboration you would like to share with our readers?
In the near future, I plan to have more large-scale personal works on display at the gallery, for which I'm now preparing. I'm thrilled to announce that my print collaboration with the Print Shop will debut in Atlanta's Ponce City Market in mid-November 2022. My work will also be featured in the Annual Postcard Pinup Exhibition at the Mint Gallery in Atlanta.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
