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"Handle With Care," 2020. Etchings using copper plates, wax thread, copper, book cloth, various inks. 5.5 x 1 x 7 in.
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"Handle With Care," 2020.  Etchings using copper plates, wax thread, copper, book cloth, various inks. 5.5  x 1 x 7 in.
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Kelli Hong
Interdisciplinary Visual Arts

I am drawn to making lines and making them freely. I may have a concept or imagery in mind then start drawing it right away and that will be my final work. Or I may have a sketch to figure out the composition, then loosely draw out the final work. These are the more freeing and spontaneous parts of the image making process. Occasionally I may run into my old habit and plan out every single thing to the smallest detail possible. I like detail and things that take a long time to make or a lot of patience.

I like learning new techniques and trying out new things. I recently learned how to make books and etching, and so far, those two are my favorites. I focus on the idea of relationships, but also an individual’s experience of time and space. These relationships can be between two or more people, between a person and the world around them, or between a person and their own thoughts or interpretations. I also like scenes that are in between worlds and incomplete.

Handle with Care
Symbolism is everywhere and everyone’s experience and interpretation of symbols may be different. However, at the root of it all there is still something similar that everyone can recognize. This builds an intangible connection between people, places, things, or within oneself. Oftentimes, I feel that it is very easy for us to mindlessly go through our busy lives and filter out the details that are happening around us. I wish for the audience to have a mindful experience, and I want to evoke a sense of nostalgia. I wish for there to be a sense of reflection of oneself, but also of the people and world around them through these small images, or rather, quick glimpses of life that I tried to capture.

My works are connected to the idea of relationships, but also an individual’s experience of time and space. These relationships can be between two or more people, between a person and the world around them, or between a person and their own thoughts or interpretations. The form of a book offers an intimate portrait of the artist yet also requires efforts of the viewer, to make the first move of opening the book and flipping through the pages. Over time, the touches on the book will deteriorate its quality which reflects the changes that can be made on an individual through their connections with others, whether these changes are harmful or open up a new opportunity.


I was born and raised in Seattle as a homebody with a mind eager for adventure. After attending the University of Washington I had the opportunity to experience many printmaking techniques and ended up with a fondness for etching. Etching allows me to create the type of detail that I want. I started off drawing people, whether they are fictional or of the people I know. And then I drew buildings, and then fishes, and then nature. Nowadays it is a mix of those themes and more. I realized that as I grew up and paid attention to my surroundings, my world grew. The themes of my art reflect that growth. The relationships between various things are my focus. My goal is to learn how to form relationships between issues in the world and myself through creating art.