Artist Interview Series: Joey Han

12 Mar 2026

Part of an ongoing series of interviews delving into the artists, designers and thinkers & doers of our time.

1. Where are you based and how is it shaping you?

I’m currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The pace and energy of New York is a good match for where I’m at in my life, I think.

I’m a generally pretty restless and distractible person, and this city exacerbates that, but it also allows me to always be on my feet and discovering new places and things.

New York definitely keeps my mind and creative energy in constant use.

2. Which book is on your bedside table?

I currently have At the Lightning Field by Laura Raicovich on my bedside table.

It’s an experimental essay that I had read in college that I’m rereading now about Raicovich’s encounters and experience with Walter de Maria’s land installation in New Mexico called The Lightning Field.

3. What social accounts do you keep returning back to?

Gerald Stratford who grows big veg in the Cotswolds. @stratfordgerald on Instagram.

4. Favourite piece of art?

At the moment, I think the movie After Life by Hirokazu Koreeda is my favorite piece of art.

I’ve seen it many times but rewatched it recently and it felt like watching it anew. I can’t stop thinking about it! Perfect premise and perfect execution.

5. What song have you got on repeat?

This past month, “Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away” by Stevie Wonder. I think that Stevie Wonder might be the greatest musician of all time.

6. The biggest life lesson you have learnt?

I don’t know if this is the biggest life lesson I’ve learned, but a big one is the importance of being present.

I tend to overthink things and get ahead of myself, but over time, I’ve tried to cultivate ways to try and stay grounded in the present and to take stock of the small things I’m grateful for in my day-to-day life.

7. One person that inspires you?

Two people who inspire me creatively are my siblings. My older brother is a musician and pursuing his PhD in computer research and music and my little sister is a designer and artist.

They’re both so talented and hardworking– their work is very interdisciplinary and they’re both always working on incredible projects.

Since we’re siblings, we naturally share a lot of the same sensibilities, but a lot of what I’m inspired by in their work are the instances where our tendencies and tastes diverge.

8. Do you have anything exciting you’re currently working on?

In terms of personal projects, I’m writing a short fiction story and also working on the early stages of an animated short film!

I’m also preparing for Issue 2 of a literary and visual arts magazine for emerging artists called The Barley Field, which I started last year with my friend Zander.

I’m hoping to get back into photography, since I’ve fallen out of practice in the last few years!

9. Next place on your travel wish list?

Mexico or Switzerland!

10. What do you think about the state of advertising?

The individual and community should be the priority in advertising, but that seems increasingly impossible in a world dictated by algorithms, clickbait, monitoring, AI and the exploitation of harmful behavioral patterns for profit.

I think advertising could do with finding ways of connecting with people in honest ways that aren't beholden to a game of virality and engagement metrics.

You can find more of Joey's work on Instagram and website.

You can read more from our Artist Interview series on our blog.