We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hink a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hink, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
There is a recurring character/visual theme in my work, which is this pink snake that typically is bursting out of another character’s empty head. (I never really have given this snake a name, but we can call it ‘snake baby’). I have always struggled with OCD and anxiety, and ‘Snake baby’ initially was a character I would use to explore the ‘creatures’ within me, and how I felt like there has always been conflicting internal and external representations of who I am, how I think, and sometimes how I behave. ‘Snake baby’ has definitely evolved past simply a symbol of mental illness though, and I see the character more so as a representation of authenticity, queerness, a truer version of myself, etc.
Art for me, like most artists, has always been a tool initially for escapism. But more recently, my work is more so about confronting aspects of myself and my experiences rather than avoiding them. Like a typical OCD haver, I deal with a lot of obsessions, compulsions, and ‘magical thinking’, which can result in pretty distressing while also simultaneously absurd trains of thought. Having OCD is not just about being orderly or having a need to feel in control, but it’s also thinking if you don’t walk through the door correctly everyone you love is going to explode. I think this has also why I’m so drawn to creating work that feels surreal with a touch of humor, because that’s just kind of how my brain feels. OCD is not ‘funny’ and actually sucks, but I just need to cope by making fun of myself/recognizing the absurdity of my thought patterns at times.
Creating stories has always been an important grounding exercise for me throughout my life, allowing me space to reflect on my internal experiences, critique myself, and give a voice to things I may not have the courage to address in everyday conversation.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was a classic comics, manga, and anime fan in middle school, and had always drawn and written up multi-chapter mega stories with over powered characters that I of course never managed to actually create. But as I got older, I got introduced to the local Chicago street art, indie comics, and zine scene through shops like Rotofugi, Flybird, Quimby’s, and fests such as the Chicago Zine Fest, CAKE, and the Zine Mercado. I was so inspired by the narrative range and artistic voices in the Chicago, so I just started self publishing/selling/pasting my own work in 2018, and have just kept exploring since.
Present day, I’d describe myself as a narrative artist who works in different formats, whether it’s comics, exhibitions, wheatpasting, mural work, cover art, or making little dudes out of sculpey. In 2023 I self published my comic ‘LORA’, which is a psychedelic coming of age story following two best friends as they attempt to navigate what it means to ‘grow up’ in a world full of monsters. I also had two solo exhibitions, one in June titled ‘BODY LANGUAGE’ at C33 Gallery in Chicago that featured poster work exploring the violence of bodily restriction, and was also paired with the release of a collaborative zine which raised funds for trans individuals and people seeking abortion travel grants. The other exhibition was ‘LOST DARLINGS’ at Studio Nez in Oak Park, which explored the human need to search of the comfort in something that might be already long gone. I’m currently work on a book under the same title that (fingers crossed) is coming out in 2024.
This past year has been super fun and also very overwhelming as I’m trying to adjust to the chaos of a freelancing lifestyle, but the human connection I’ve been able to experience through doing this type of work has been really fulfilling. The experience of baring pieces of your soul to the world for it to consume (or also ignore) is just such a rewarding roller coaster, and I am constantly inspired by the community I am able to be a part of in Chicago as well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Authenticity, exploration, and letting go of preciousness.
It can be really hard to make art, but I think the key to never falling out of love with the process is to make sure you are making work and exploring concepts that feel authentic to yourself. You don’t need to be a master to be authentic, it’s just about exploring things that truly excite you. Whenever I am feeling dried out, I look back on the things that I loved when I was younger, and I get reminded of the artistic voices that inspire me.
I think the next two kind of go hand in hand, but exploration is key to being an adaptable and ever-growing artist. I don’t believe there’s ever ‘making it’, or figuring it all out, or reaching your max potential as an artist. I personally believe the journey should just be centered on exploration and continuously seeking inspiration in the world. Also with that comes that letting go of our preciousness, if I was hung up on goals I had when I was 12, that wouldn’t allow for much exploration. I think that to pursue your ‘dreams in art’ you need to almost let go of your dreams and just follow the journey that feels correct and natural to you. There is no right or wrong journey, the point should just be to stay inspired, curious, and evolve.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think we should never marry ourself to a singular concept or vision of ourself. When I was 18 I did a lot of scenic design/carpentry, was heavily involved in theatre tech, and wanted to join the film industry. Then I got reconnected to the comics medium, life happened, I met people who inspired and pushed me in different directions, and now I spray paint murals, make indie comics, do exhibition work, and a bunch of other pursuits that feel like I fell into accidentally, but am so infinitely grateful for.
But this is all to each their own, some people are all about the devotion to a single skill or medium, and it truly shows. Personally, I am way too restless of a person to devote myself to a single thing, so I really think our journeys are so personal and it’s all about figuring out what feels true to us.
As life has happened I feel like I’ve fallen more in love with the unpredictability of literally everything around us, so wherever my artistic journey takes me will honestly be a surprise to me, but I’m excited to continue to explore.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hink.club
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hinkstink/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/home
- Other: https://www.webtoons.com/en/creator/c4oxv
Image Credits
Jonathan Michael Castillo, 2023 (only applicable to the black and white gallery space)
