Yen Cha

Email: [email protected]Instagram: @yentarciea

In-Process: Tarciean: Roles in the Hotel
(6 members to go!)

Soft Sculptures

Textiled Relief on Canvas

Artist Bio

Yena Cha, preferred as Yen (b.2001, South Korea), is a self-taught textile soft sculpture artist, whose practice centers on chibi-inspired figurative dolls on handmade stands. Through this medium, she explores her identity, storytelling, and the longing held within wishes through her personal mythology, containing twelve recurring characters from her inner world, a group named Tarciean, her imaginative family.While Tarciean’s form may appear playful and lighthearted, they reflect on vulnerability, memory, and longing. Each piece acts as an intimate self-protrait as well as an open invitation, inviting viewers to reconnect with memories of their own childhood imaginary companions. She aims to create a safe space where her recurring characters from her inner world can share their stories without judgement.Before Yen became an artist, she was interested in becoming an author, but her path had shifted into visual art where she now holds a Bachelor of Design in Illustration and Character Design from Alberta University of the Arts, giving her to combine character design, illustration, stories, and textile to her works. Her first group exhibition was during 2023 summer in Fort Calgary for their Flip the Script, which led her to apply to other art shows. Yen is currently focusing on expanding her doll art practice through different opportunities.

Artist Statement

Everyone has had an imaginary companion at least once in childhood; a silent friend who filled the empty spaces. For me, these companions never truly left; instead, they grew up alongside me.I am a self-taught textile soft sculpture artist, creating chibi-inspired figurative dolls on handmade stands. These small dolls, influenced by the Japanese art style characterized by exaggerated, childlike forms, are crafted through a combination of hand and machine sewing. Through them, I explore identity, personal storytelling, and the longing within wishes. Each doll represents twelve recurring characters from my inner world, a group called Tarciean, who are my imaginative family. They allowed me to build an ongoing world through sculpture.Every member of Tarciean is made from a mix of new and used fabrics, selected as if they were real people wearing everyday clothing. This brings the dolls to be stand-ins for myself and the Tarciean, embedding layers of symbolism, personal narrative, and emotional resonance within each piece.Although the dolls seem playful, they reflect vulnerability, memory, and longing. The childlike dolls are a reflection on childhood memories and the longing as a child to physically be with the Tarciean, who gives comfort. Each work functions as an intimate self-portrait and an invitation, encouraging viewers to reconnect with memories of their own imaginary companions. By working in a medium that is familiar and historically tied to comfort, I aim to create a safe space where the Tarciean and I can share our stories without judgement.