The artist herself, Paulina Ho.
Paulina Ho is a New Mexico-based multidisciplinary artist & designer working in numerous mediums, including ceramic, paper, and acrylic paint. Her graphic-forward style combines representational figuration and abstract expression to translate the experience of private emotions and thoughts into three-dimensional objects. Composed of distorted proportions and perspectives and exaggerated color, shapes, and scale, Ho's fantastical visual universe converts our solitary experience of consciousness into relatable caricatures that achieve a charming balance of whimsy and existentialism.
In this brief interview of 5 questions, we get the backstory to Ho's first project space show, Character Development (on view until October 15th). Catch a glimpse of how Ho's studio practice came to be and get the low-down on the best pizza in Santa Fe, NM.
Self-Inner Portrait, Paulina Ho—With good design, you can communicate a lot with very little.
Spencer Linford: Hi, Paulina. Thank you for doing this interview. Could you take us back to the beginning? How did you start making art? When did you transition from being a hobbyist to thinking, "Hey, I could do this professionally."
Paulina Ho: I began doodling in my childhood like most people! It just didn't stop, and the act of creation has continued into my adult years.
I never had conscious thoughts growing up to "make it" professionally. I slacked off in all high school classes except art and purposely filled my junior and senior year schedules with as many art classes as possible while avoiding other academic ones. My one care for art was apparent and instead of college, I fixated on going to art school regardless of what others thought. Being a depressed teenager trying to escape, it almost felt like there was no choice but to follow that compulsion.
Looks like all those art classes paid off in the long run. If God Wills It, Paulina Ho.
SL: You're a graphic designer by day. Do you feel that the different intentions of graphic design, such as communicating a message, bleed into your studio practice?
PH: The intention of communicating a message ABSOLUTELY bleeds into my studio practice, and I'm not sure if I can make art that has zero message! I believe all visual elements, such as composition, scale, and color communicate something, and that philosophy carries over into my art practice.
The Twinkle in Your Eye, Paulina Ho—An example par excellence of Ho's intentional design work.
SL: The title of your latest exhibition is Character Development . Could you tell us a little about how you came up with that title, as well as what it means?
PH: The intention of this show is to highlight liminal, everyday moments. I find depth in all the small choices and experiences that people share, and the title, Character Development is my light-hearted way to capture that.
Every decision can be significant, like choosing what flowers to put in your vase. Exception...!, Paulina Ho.
SL: When we were putting together this exhibition, we talked about how exaggeration can be a tool to evoke emotion. What are you hoping to evoke with this exhibition? And what compositional tools are you using to get there?
PH: If there are any emotions I wish for this show to cultivate, I hope it's feelings of groundedness and peace! These pieces pull much more from nature than previous works of mine and have more curved silhouettes and earthy colors.
Very Lucky Charm, Paulina Ho—It's giving ancient rock.
SL: You're a pizza connoisseur with an extensive list of the best slice joints in NYC. What about the greater Santa Fe area? What are your top pizza recommendations?
PH: I'll admit that I've been hesitant to explore pizza in Santa Fe, but I can highly recommend Esquina Pizza! You can taste the quality in details such as their curled pepperoni cups, freshly grated nutty and salty parmesan, and (actually) spicy crushed red pepper flakes. Also don't sleep on the service, ambiance, house-made gelato, and tiramisu. I'd confidently take any New Yorker there!
SL: Wait, the place down the street?!
The Peaceful Now, Paulina Ho—A great reminder to take things slow and explore your surroundings, like the pizza shop down the street.
To see all of the works from Ho's Character Development, stop by the gallery or check them out online, then head down to Esquina for a fresh slice of 'za. For more information about Ho's work, email us at info@formandconcept.center.
