Meet Christina Lihan | Visual Artist, Sculptor and former” Architect”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Lihan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be honest, I didn’t really think about “starting my own business” when I quit my architecture job as project architect at a large firm. I knew I wasn’t creatively fulfilled being an architect. Funny, when I was at architecture school, I had big dreams of a career designing amazing buildings for people to enjoy, thinking it would be like living in or experiencing art all around them. Well, I was a very idealistic grad student. After working as an architect for various firms designing all types of buildings, I found that it wasn’t my dream profession. I had some creativity, but working mostly for developers was against my environmental ideals. So, I had been doing my art on the side, and after holding my own little exhibit with a fellow co-worker, got discovered by a gallery owner and was put on their roster. After several large commissions, one where I took a 3 month sabbatical from my job as a project architect, I quit the profession imagining I would be able to support myself solely on creating art. Fifteen years to the day tomorrow I have! I did intend to become a full time artist, it was something that I just had to do, that was in me, to pursue that dream. So, yes, by only supporting myself through my art, it is my business…without a real plan!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I haven’t seen any other artists creating the type of art I create. I take heavy watercolor paper and hand cut, fold, bend, score and texturize it, leaving it completely white, make wall hung sculptures that consist of layers and layers of paper. By leaving the papers white, light and shadow become characters in my pieces. I am influenced mostly by my career and education of architecture. So, much of my work is either reminiscent of the built form, architectural elements and imagined buildings and cityscapes. I am proud to have created two large installations (each around 10 ft in height and 32 ft in length): one in the glass enclosed base of the famed Flatiron building in Manhattan and the second one in a large showroom in Chicago. Just last year I created eight large scale pieces as free-standing paper sculptures for The Londoner Hotel. They reside in the lobbies. Has my journey been easy? Not at all. Mostly in the financial aspect of surviving, paying bills. I overcame the challenges by going without things: staying in, eating less, not buying anything, not having a car (difficult in South Florida), not travelling. I haven’t taken any financial support from anyone, not family or friends.
Of course there are challenges in actually doing my work. It is very physical at times and very time consuming. But, I really really love what I do. It is all worth it. I think the lessons I have learned is that I will always push myself to figure out ways to create with my hands what visions I have in my brain!
I would like the world to know that I came from very humble beginnings, without a fine art degree. I took everything I learned from my experience as an architect, seven years of architectural education (receiving a full athletic swimming scholarship for undergraduate work and student loans for graduate school), reading and travelling to many different places to coalesce to the art I make. My story starts with my mom and dad. My dad was a woodworker and high school shop teacher, my mom was an elementary school art teacher and painter. I bring those skills they taught me, along with a lot of patience and very hard work. I also firmly believe that my upbringing as a world ranked competitive swimmer has given me determination and willingness to put up with a lot of hardships. I don’t find many athletes and artists. In that respect I also feel I am unique in my story so far.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I live near Fort Lauderdale, but I go down to Miami a few times a month. A favorite thing for me to do is get out on the water…but with a purpose. I have taken friends on the bay tour with the Pelican Harbor Seabird Center. It is a great place to see all the wonderful work they do to save seabirds of all kinds, they help rehabilitate animals and help the public be more aware of savings them through tours of their facility and also the boat tour/cruise. The guide drives to specific parts in the bay and islands where certain birds nest. Another place that I love is the design district. I like Wynwood, but the design district has some great galleries, and art collections, interesting architectural things to see in the courtyard. Then go to Michael’s Genuine late afternoon to avoid the crowds. Up here closer to Fort Lauderdale is a favorite band of mine, The Valerie Tyson Band, for soul. They play a lot of different venues in Fort Lauderdale, in Hollywood, etc. so usually on a weekend, they’d be a great fun time! I love getting out in nature, so I would also bring my friends to Shark Valley…rent some bicycles and ride the long road to the end circular elevated walkway to look out into the Everglades.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Mark Karelson the owner of Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the first person to give me a chance, and exhibit in his gallery. He showed me he believed in my art and in me, he gave me the confidence to keep creating the work I was doing at the time. He also found several large commissions for me, which made it possible to quit my full time job as an architect. The second person I would like to give a shoutout to is Anthony Abbate. I worked for him as an architect and did my art on the side. He always encouraged me to pursue my passion and also gave me, gives me to this day, confidence in my medium of choice, hand cut paper.
The third person I would like to give a shoutout to is Steve and Lana Hardy. They came to an exhibit that I put on myself (with the support of childhood friends Lauren Lange, Greg Medalie and Ken Nolan) and purchased the largest piece I had created. From there they became supportive of my art and opened my eyes and hands and creative spirit to paid artist residencies.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/lihanstudio/home?authuser=1

Instagram: christinalihanart

Linkedin: Christina Lihan

Facebook: Lihan Studio

Other: email: lihanstudio@yahoo.com, phone: 404-934-9850

Image Credits
Christina Lihan