Interview
YON Panda
YON Panda is a midweight introvert, pancake fanatic and mango aficionado who enjoys having meaningful conversations. A skilled graphic designer and artist fascinated by the intersection of digital and analog art. Inspired by street culture and urban art, he creates to provoke thought, challenge perspectives and spark impactful conversations through art and design.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background is in graphic design, and I’ve been in the creative industry since 2015, with a few sabbaticals along the way. While I explored art intermittently, my focus was primarily on full-time, contract, and freelance design work. It wasn’t until the pandemic that I decided to pivot and take art seriously. Post-pandemic, I spent nearly two years working with the Vancouver Mural Festival, fully immersing myself in a world of art; that experience fueled my passion and led me to fully commit to creating art in print and apparel - mediums that resonate with me the most.”
What inspires you?
“My inspiration comes from urban art, music, motion graphics, films, graphic design, photography, and thought-provoking topics. Each of these elements plays a key role in shaping my creative process, influencing the way I approach and develop my work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Right now, I don’t follow a specific theme. While some of my work incorporates scripture, which might suggest a religious focus, I have various projects in progress that explore different subjects. My primary goal is to create impact - to grab attention, and make people pause, and question.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is a hybrid collage of digital and analog techniques, blending the precision of design with the raw energy of mixed media. I’m currently exploring ways to incorporate sculpture and lighting to push my creative boundaries even further.”
Which artists influence you most?
“This is a tough one - there are so many incredible artists pushing boundaries and creating outstanding work. Here are some of the artists I follow closely: Snooze One, Snipt, TRULY DESIGN Crew, Chairman Ting, WK INTERACT, KASSEUS, Shepard Fairey and Judith de Leeuw.”
“My work is a hybrid collage of digital and analog techniques, blending the precision of design with the raw energy of mixed media.”
What is your creative process like?
“My approach to art is a lot like cooking - you start with an idea of what you want to make, gather your ingredients, mix them together, and let the flavours develop. For me, the process begins with research: understanding the message, objective, or goal behind a piece. I draw inspiration from examples, sketch out concepts, and determine whether the work will be a standalone piece or part of a collection. I naturally gravitate toward themes, often working in sets of three. Once I have a clear vision, I move to digital sketches, select a colour palette, define the format and typography, turn up the music, and let the creativity flow. I work freehand, going through multiple iterations until the composition feels right. The final stage is all about refinement - meticulously adjusting every detail until the piece is polished to perfection. Time is subjective in my process. Some pieces come together in continuous hours or days, while others sit for weeks before I revisit them with fresh eyes. I don’t like working under rigid deadlines, but I aim to work efficiently because I’m always eager to see the final result.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Beyond self-expression, artists have a profound responsibility to communicate, evoke emotions, and spark something within the viewer. Art has been deeply embedded in human history since the beginning of time, constantly evolving and adapting to the changing landscape of society. The latest evolution in art is AI-driven, or rather, we are living through an artificial intelligence revolution. In my view, this represents the second largest revolution after the Industrial Revolution. While there is significant controversy surrounding AI art and some artists resist its rise, I see it simply as another tool. A similar situation occurred when computers revolutionized design, or when digital photography emerged - those who embraced the change thrived, while those who resisted found themselves left behind. Life is all about evolution - resisting change leads to obsolescence. The same principle applies today. Artists, designers, photographers, and filmmakers who embrace innovation remain relevant. With strong design and art principles, no tool should feel like a threat. The key is to maintain an open mind, explore new possibilities, and adapt - because that's what life is all about. Just as some photographers continue to shoot with film despite the dominance of digital cameras, they still prefer traditional techniques over digital ones. It's not about the medium - it's about using the right tools for the job at hand. What works for one artist may not work for another, and that’s perfectly fine. We are living in very exciting times, and I believe we must continue to push the envelope by blending art in all its various forms. By intertwining it with other fields, we can create groundbreaking work. The most important thing is to stay open-minded, embrace change, and remain adaptable. This is how we evolve, both as individuals and as creators.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My recent exhibitions include: MINBID Art Gallery & Auctions, Art Gallery & Auctions in Vancouver in 2023, The Well ‘Opening,’ the Vancouver Mural Festival in the Summer of 2023 and Pancakes & Booze in Vancouver in 2022 and 2023.”
