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Since its inception in 2021, Digital Art Fair has been deeply committed to advancing and empowering emerging artists within the region. Building on the success of two highly acclaimed Young Artist Incubation Programmes in 2021 and 2022, the Fair recently introduced the esteemed Pioneer Art Prize in 2023, offering talented artists within the digital art sphere the opportunity to receive funding for exhibitions and residencies globally.
This year, we are excited to announce that the Digital Art Fair has enlisted the talents of artist Zenavi for a collaborative campaign with the innovative technology company LG Electronics. Zenavi's uniquely vibrant artistic style, characterized by a rich and evocative palette, seamlessly aligns with LG's visionary mission to enhance our daily experiences in the realms of Sleeping, Eating, Living, and Playing.
We had a short interview with the artist to speak about the commission as well as what keeps the artist motivated and creative in an increasingly demanding world.
Image: Zenavi and LG Electronics' large billboard installation in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Q&A
DAF: Hi Zennie! Great to speak to you again. I want to start right at the beginning for you and your practice, how did you start your digital art journey?
ZN: I started my journey as a child with a simple pen and paper, but then my parents got a computer and my father downloaded photoshop. There i started learning how to use it, and at the time there was no Youtube University >< so i had to figure things out on my own and i realised people started coming to me to make graphics, patterns, for them, edit their photos etc. To a point where i had my very first exhibition in Highschool at the NuArt sculpture park where my exhibit was mostly filled with Digital Art.
DAF: What is your creative process and where is your inspiration from?
ZN: My creative process is quite fluid. When working with clients, I usually begin with a sketch, but when I’m creating for myself, I prefer to start with a blank canvas and let the work evolve organically. My inspiration often comes from my emotions, personal experiences, or what’s happening in the world around me. A lot of my work revolves around themes of happiness, self-reflection, and the concept of home. Happiness is my default state; I tend not to let things weigh me down, which may come from realising at a young age that everything is temporary.
DAF: The digital art space moves quickly, so how does your technical skills evolve over time?
ZN: My technical skills have evolved over time through constant experimentation. I’m not someone who sticks to one style or digital tool. After starting with illustrations and digital paintings, I wanted to make them move, so I learned how to animate using After Effects. My curiosity and the challenge of ‘can I even do it’ pushes me to keep learning, and with every new tool I master, my art evolves in exciting new ways.
Image: Zenavi and LG Electronics' large billboard installation in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
DAF: What was the most memorable experience in your previous creation process/portfolio highlight?
ZN: If you asked me this 5 months ago I would definitely say the sale of my art work for almost 5.8 ETH. But now i think thanks to DAF for the opportunity, this collaboration with LG alongside the Jars concept being implemented and used truly is a highlight.
DAF: Because of how hectic and noisy the landscape can be sometimes, I wonder what is the most difficult part of being a digital artist?
ZN: The biggest challenge for me is definitely finding balance. I have so many things I want to do, but there are always obstacles. As you know, I lecture in the Communication & Public Relations study program, which means I’m constantly juggling teaching, grading, writing research papers, illustrating, animating, and learning new tools. That’s the hardest part. It’s why my work often features symmetry and duplicate faces—sometimes I wish I could clone myself just to keep up with everything.
DAF: How do you foresee digital art development in the future?
ZN: Digital art is already a huge part of my life, and I believe future technologies and tools will take our experience with digital creations to new heights. From immersive art and augmented reality to dynamic pieces that evolve long after the artist is gone, the possibilities are limitless. In the future, art could even be tailored to each individual viewer. Instead of a piece evoking a specific emotion, the artwork might shift based on the viewer’s emotions—using biofeedback to change in real time according to how they feel. This flips the traditional relationship between art and its audience, and I’m particularly fascinated by this kind of emotional interactivity.
DAF: Zennie, can you share your insights and advices for other artists when doing a commercial project vs personal/art project?
ZN: When working on a large-scale project with tight deadlines, it's okay to ask for help. Due to time constraints and the workload, I had a team to assist me for this LG project. I know that as artists, it can be hard to ask for help or let go of control over certain aspects, but sometimes, you can’t do it all on your own. The key is knowing when collaboration is necessary to get the job done.
When working on a commercial project, it's important to remember that while they’ve hired you for your unique art style, the work serves a purpose for the brand—usually for marketing. You need to ensure that what you create aligns with their marketing goals. This is different from personal art, where you create from a place deep within yourself, often without a set purpose or much planning.
Image: Zenavi and LG Electronics' large street Jar installation in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
DAF: How is it working on the LG project? Any products or “funny” things that happened that you would like to highlight?
ZN: Working on the LG project was an absolute blast! The creative freedom I had to imagine what kind of world lived inside each jar felt magical—like being a kid in a candy store or, now as an adult, in the cleaning appliances section. I’m really thankful for DAF’s help in managing communication between LG and me. It’s a huge task, and their involvement made everything go much more smoothly.
A funny moment during the project was rendering the jars for the giant billboards. The working files were so massive that only one team member’s computer was powerful enough to open and render them! Another highlight was exchanging emails with Herman or Winnie at 3 or 4 a.m., only to get a reply instantly. It was nice to know both teams were burning the midnight oil together!
DAF: What are your modes and things done to “Live Better?”
ZN: For me, living better is about enriching different aspects of life, making things more enjoyable, easier, or more efficient—whatever aligns with happiness. It’s about asking, “What can be done to make life better?”
I focus on taking care of my health, both physically and mentally, and I make sure to surround myself with meaningful relationships. I embrace flexibility and growth, which helps me adapt to situations quickly. Being mindful of what I can and can’t control has been key, and it really helps me sleep well at night. Lastly, I always make time to celebrate small wins and progress along the way!
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Zenavi Bio
Zenavi (Filipina / German) is an artist working across illustration and 2D animation, creating intricate kaleidoscope patterns that act as portals into otherworldly dimensions—especially ones that connect with our most intimate truths. Her works have been shown internationally across New York, Lisbon, Paris, Bali and more.
She also incorporates music, artificial intelligence and interactive technologies in her projects, exploring a wide range of storytelling formats. Zenavi is also Co-Founder of NFT Asia, and a Lecturer in Communication and Public Relations in Indonesia.