Artist Bio
Yukkin(ze/zir) B.A., MNLP, MTLT, MCHt.
Interdisciplinary Artist, VTuber, Creative Transformation Specialist and Model.
Yukkin is an interdisciplinary artist creating portals to the imaginary space, the YUniverse, where the environment, nature and visuals are shaped by human identity. An evolving exploration where personal identity, human experience, the earthy world, and nature are seen as divinely sacred interwoven connections. Often creating art focused on identity that combines humans with elements of nature to create portraits through landscapes, environments, installation and abstracted forms. The magic belongs in creating an environment that reflects who you are through your vision of the world and who you may become with your own YUniverse.
As the author and creative force behind the YUniverse, Yukkin has always seen art as more than just apart of zir wellness, spiritual practice and self discovery. Art was a way of being that shapes their environment, self expression and wonder. From exploring the absurdity of normal, Yukkin embraced curiosity and wonder to creating whimsical, playful, colourful, and campy experiments. Graduating with honours from University of Guelph’s studio art program, zir art is experimental and playful in transformation through blending a wide array of mediums. Yukkin’s art and YUniverse is the evolution of learning the rules, skills, norms and then deciding to forge their own path, creating a whole new YUniverse instead. From immersive and interactive installations like zir Zavitz solo show(2023), to livestream performance art; Yukkin challenges perspective to be authentic to passion, self and curiosity to find possibilities.
Personal History and Background
Growing up in Barrie they enjoyed spending time at MacLaren Art Centre, Kempenfest every summer, hiking through the forests. With a fond love for exploring Yukkin would kayak parts of Barrie’s waterfront and the Muskokas and hike various trails to photograph nature and waterfalls. Being an avid manga reader and anime fan lead zir to exploring various fashion subcultures, art genres and fabric arts to expand from just traditional arts training. Yukkin loved sharing a love for fantasy, sci-fi and video games with their parents. Often watching Doctor Who, playing Toe Jam and Earl for the Sega Genesis, We Love Katamari on the PS2, Little Big Planet and visiting Fan Expo with zir parents. Yukkin interest in history, retro media and 80’s pop culture energized zir passion for engineering and learning how to make things from scratch.
While many interests that influenced zir art came from spending time with their parents the most notable influence comes from spending time with zir grandparents. In elementary school lunch was often spent eating at home with either zir mom or grandparents. All zir friends knew Grammy and Grandpa by name and Yukkin would often go on day trips to visit artisan stores in small towns, play with their dog and spend many hours gardening with them. There are often small nods to trains or railroads in Yukkin’s work, from both fond memories of toy train sets and their grandpa’s work on the railroad. Learning about various plants, tips for farming, and how to build things was all treasured memories shared with grandparents. Even going on exchange to visit japan was encouraged and supported by zir parents and grandparents.
Exploring creativity was something present throughout zir life from art classes as a kid, crafting with parents to taking specialty arts programs. Yukkin went to school for engineering and went through a massive transformation when zir health collapsed. From that point Yukkin decided to be true to their authentic self, come out of the closet and get a studio art degree. Leaving the sense of being the odd ball out in zir family and social circles behind, Yukkin explored their gender fluidity, androgyny and pansexuality in art, fashion and reading. Having adored princely anime character designs zir fashion and character designs created a new story and possibilities for zirself. Reflecting at the end of University on the key decisions, wisdom and regrets that created the person ze had become through zir first solo gallery show, and print installation. Yukkin further expanded zir skills learning various modalities such as hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy® to recover the wisdom from trauma and past events to create from a place of healing and wisdom.
Fun facts:
Yukkin’s favourite food is purple, as in most desserts or foods that are purple ze adores. Blueberry juice is one of their top recommendations as well as ube and taro.
Yukkin loves bright and often rainbow colour combinations however ze also has a love for working in black and white. This is also reflected in their wardrobe, one section is mostly monochrome formal wear and the other half is colourful and whimsical dresses.
Yukkin is a huge cat fan with zir Vtuber model consistently having cat ears however, they actually only ever had one cat and mostly grew up with their grandparents Doodle. Now ze has a mountain goat of a dog a schnoodle that climbs to the top of the couch to push people out of their seats.
Artist CV
Education
B.A 2024 Studio Art University of Guelph
Interdisciplinary artist with skills in traditional and experimental mediums. Traditionally trained
in photography, drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpting. In newer more
experimental practices having worked in 3D modelling, digitizing embroidery, Live 2D
rigging, vector art, animation, videography, performance, laser cutting, costumery, fibre arts and more.
Exhibition Record
2018 Integrated Arts Showcase, Innisdale Secondary School
Multimedia installation, Don’t You Understand
2022 Beyond Words, Elora Centre For The Arts
Multimedia painting, (Untitled)
2022 Juried Art Show (JAS), University of Guelph
Photography, Really Human
2022 – 2023 150 Research Lane group exhibit Fall-Winter
Photography, Bottle Rocket, Sea Me In My Element, Curated by Bella and Jude
2023 Juried Art Show (JAS), University of Guelph
Screen printed quilt and photo animation, The Acquaintance, Photo
Mediated Plant Dream, The photo animation won an honourable mention from
the blind jury judging.
2023 *Barbie Box, McLaughlin Library
Photo Sculpture, Croaking Bags, Juried by FAN (Fine Arts and Music network)
2023 NFC (non-fungible conference) Humanity competition
Multimedia sculpture and NFT, Seed of the Sea, selected for top 25 in show,
organized by Fearian Gallery, juried by NFC panel
2023 *Life Sized Stories, Zavitz Hall
Multimedia Solo show installation
2023 New Noise, University of Guelph Zavitz Hall and Project Space
Installation with video and silence as audio, Baby Universe, Specialized Studio
2024 Group Show Wishing My Camera Would Behave, Lalani Jennings
Photo cutout installation, At The Kernel of Stardust Lay Elysian Fields,
2024 Printmaking Group show Home Stead Print Show, Lalani Jennings
Sculptural Screen Print Tree with Drypoint Print Editions, Grown From Regrets,
2024 Collage Royal Art Show, University of Guelph
First place for book category, Life Sized Book
2024 (JAS) Blind Juried Art Show, University of Guelph
Livestream Performance, Imperfect Action, 5th Place winner from the Blind Jury
2024 Spilled Beans and Spoiled Milk, Lalani Jennings
Multimedia Video Showcase, Corporal To Digital Artist, Specialized Studio Group
show
2025 Commissioned video, Ed Video Media Arts Centre
Video showcase commissioned , Magic is in the Making, shown at Summer
Solstice Jam and Guelph Multicultural festival
Bibliography
Barbie box project. University of Guelph Library. (2023, June 8). https://
www.lib.uoguelph.ca/news/barbie-box-project/
Faerian. (2023a, July 3). Chapter 2: “Humanity” • faerian. Faerian. https://
faerian.art/collections/2-humanity
Faerian. (2023b, July 4). Yukkin. Faerian. https://faerian.art/artists/yukkin
Kraemer, J. (2022, February 23). Beyond words exhibition – elora centre for the
arts. Guelph Arts Council. https://guelpharts.ca/general/beyond-words-exhibition-elora-
centre-for-the-arts/
Life sized stories. Zavitz Gallery. (n.d.). https://zavitz.sofamstudio.ca/life-sized-
stories/
Technical Abilities
Photography, drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpting. In newer more
experimental practices I have knowledge of 3D modelling, digitizing embroidery, vector art,
animation, videography, performance, laser cutting, live streaming, Live 2D rigging
and art cutting, modelling, costumery, visual effects makeup, cooking, resin, beading,
crochet, paper making, needle felting and knitting. I have knowledge in a large array of
different softwares, mediums both traditional and digital, and awareness of 2D and 3D design
considerations.
Collections
Chapter 2 Humanity Collection by Faerian Gallery, Seed of the Sea