A Lot on My Plate with Claudia Chew
As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.
Interview #7 is with the lovely Claudia Chew. Claudia is a local Illustrator and Graphic Designer currently finishing of her Design degree. Claudia lives in Naarm (Melbourne) with her partner and their two cats. I have always admired Claudia's work and have really enjoyed reading her responses to these questions, I hope you do too.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Illustration and Graphic Design?
Hello! I’m Claudia, 21, living in Naarm. I have been enjoying the process of driving out to the bush and picking mushrooms, decorating/furnishing my new house and annoying my cats every 5 minutes. I used Tumblr when I was younger to communicate and connect with others with similar interests in different fandoms which eventually lead to me following people who can draw my favourite characters really well, which then lead me to the illustration and graphic design world.I think one of the first illustrators I’ve stumbled across was Carla McRae which was when I first realised that illustrations can be used to make functional things look good. I think the appeal of graphic design and illustration is the feeling of reward when you get to see your designs in a public space on/offline.
How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?
It felt difficult to create as there were less opportunities to experience new experiences. I would fall into a small safe routine where my life was contained in a small physical space. The online world felt cramped too, the algorithm on Instagram suggested things I thought I liked which didn’t provide me with much inspiration as it used to 5 years ago.
During the pandemic period, I did lots of self-reflection through journaling, talking out loud to myself to process my thoughts that were not drawing. I didn’t have any hobbies to fill my socialising time with but my whole house decided that it was the perfect time to make wine. Every year, we safely make a berry wine, but last year we decided to go with a more avant-garde approach to wine and had the opportunity to taste a month ago (we all moved houses and the wine is at my old roommate’s house). It was onion wine. It had a nice clear Rosé colouring to it, with the top notes of onions which later graduated to a more pungent sweet onion wine flavour. Every breath after the initial sip reminded you of onions. Although it seems like a good idea for a vinaigrette, I do not foresee myself using it. (I feel like I’m getting a bit off track now) Wine making was the main activity in the house, but as an individual, I got into making ceramic objects. It was a good break from the feeling of not being inspired to illustrate, while still being able to replicate the same design process, engaging with the pleasure senses in your brain. Since your hands gets dirty, you can’t use your technology leaving more time for reflecting.
After the pandemic ended, I moved houses, got a new job, slowly broke connections that didn’t make me feel 100 percent while consolidating connections that made me feel supported and heard. I also learnt that it’s ok to move from one style/aesthetic of visual communication to another as you proceed through life.
The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?
I OBVIOUSLY live to eat!
How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?
I cook my best meals when I'm stressed, I guess it’s a form of procrastination. I love to cook anyway, and someone has to cook sooner or later, so why don’t I make my best meals right now! It makes me less stressed after I get it out of the way, I can tick it off as a chore, and then there’s only work left to do. These are meals I put effort into with separate processes like ramen, pasta dishes, and spreads of many small dishes; small soups, Korean side sides, corn cheese, nasu-dengaku, quick pickle vegetables, char hor fun, cold noodle salads, roast vegetables, spring onion pancake, stir fried vegetables with garlic or shrimp stuff, chicken wings (I rarely cook meat, but this one has been good because of my new weird microwave-grill built into my apartment. When I’m tired usually my partner cooks, but I love Shin Ramen. I’ve also been going to Fishbowl which is by far the most nourishing food chain! They do yummy Poke Bowls that you can easily customise to your liking.
What are your favourite ways to enjoy food with people in Melbourne?
When I have money I like to go to restaurants that are a bit more fun and experimental, maybe as a cute date with people close to me who also feels the same about food. BUT my favourite thing to do is to cook meals with my friends or just order uber eats and hang out. Usually it would be a PM situation as we are all very busy during the day.
Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?
I conveniently made a playlist on Spotify for this! I have been obsessed with music that makes me feel nostalgic like Mitski and Grimes.
Photo of Claudia taken by Claudia's friend Velvet