Louis Chinn, aka Jyun Jyun is a multi-disciplinary artist specializing in murals, installation, music and performance. His work explores the theme of transformation as both an aesthetic quality and experience. Through public art, education and performance, he has dedicated his career to making art accessible and essential, regardless of social position. Drawing influence from his mixed race heritage, upbringing in indigenous Alaska and international travels, his work evokes new narratives of migration and diaspora, reminding us of our connections to heritage, the earth and each other. As a teaching artist, he dedicated over a decade to innovating community building and social justice programs for youth, leveraging art and music as a means of empowerment and discovery for some of the most diverse zip codes in the country.
Louis’s multi-sensory installations and performances weave visual art, music and digital technology into immersive, ritualistic experiences. These works explore the cross pollination of cultures and the relationship between nature and technology. His philosophy, approach and imaginative work have garnered domestic and international support in museums, organizations, businesses and government agencies across the U.S., Mexico and China. Recent exhibitions and performances include the SFMOMA, SF Asian Art Museum, Berkeley Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Xucun Arts Center in China, SOMArts Cultural Center and more.
In 2018, he completed a sculptural mural using over 8,000 lbs of plasma-cut Cor-ten steel panels bolted over a 307-ft concrete wall in downtown Hayward, CA. In 2019, he installed an 18ft wind-powered, kinetic sculpture consisting of an illuminated steel nest that doubles as a circular bench, with 22 flying origami birds- a symbol for resilience for the Chinatown community in Seattle, WA. For the past 5 years he created, curated and performed at a grant sponsored, multidisciplinary arts festival showcasing Asian American artists and heritage.
