Julie Yang

What have you been involved in over the last few years?

I've been pretty preoccupied with work. I teach art at an elementary school. Being new to teaching has been a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I end up spending too much of my energy on it and I need to work on that. Once I'm better at that I feel like I'll be able to do more projects and activities I enjoy in the future.

What have you been up to lately/this year?

2020 hasn't been an easy year. Because of the epidemic I've mostly been at home. It's been hard for me to focus on things I need to get done and my mental state has been all over the place. Lately I've been doing what I can to help out with The BLM Movement. As a white person I want to use my privilege in whatever way I can to help others. Donating, protesting, posting, educating myself. In a lot of ways it doesn't feel like enough.

What are you looking to get into in the future?

Just keep working on myself and those I care for.

OKC Art-scene / Music-scene?

There's a lot of amazing local artists here. I feel like it's a bit easier to get yourself out there as an artist because OKC's art scene is still pretty small. When I think about it, there are a few things we need to work on: Creating and continuing discussion on how to keep shows safe places, diversity in the artists and audiences, and how we can give back to our community.

Influences?

Ai Weiwei, Jacolby Satterwhite, Nekojiru, Yoshitomo Nara, and cartoons haha.

Hopes and fears?

Oh man. I hope a lot of changes happen in The United States and the rest of the world. We have to treat each other and our planet better. I guess that's my short answer.

Julie Yang designed the ‘Hide it’ T-Shirt available here. Sales benefit: Derrick Scott Fund // Dream Action OK!