Cat Chiu creates public art inspired by lived experiences, conversations, overlooked histories, and communities with whom she has collaborated. The overarching theme that connects her work is transformation, whether it is transforming materials or spaces.
When did you first realize you are a creative person
I first realized I was a creative person in elementary school, when I won a drawing contest. That moment was pivotal, it validated my effort and made me feel seen. Looking back, it planted the seed for my creative identity.
Now, as the Visual and Media Arts Resource Teacher for San Diego Unified School District (I support all art teachers, TK-12, for all 180 schools in the district). I often reflect on how important it is to offer students those same opportunities, because moments like that can shape how they see themselves and their worth.
Another defining moment came in middle school. We lived in a house with a basement, and I spent hours transforming it into my first studio and gallery. I even hosted an “opening reception” during a family event. That experience helped me understand that creativity isn’t just about making things, it’s about seeing potential where others might not.
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How has your work evolved over the years?
My work has become more community-centered and conceptually layered. Early on, I focused on personal expression and more formal aspects of artmaking, but over time, I began creating larger-scale installations that invite collaboration and dialogue.
The themes of migration, memory, identity, and equity have become central to my practice.
E-waste
9- 36”x72”
Installed at Las Vegas City Hall
2016
You use a variety of techniques in your work. Tell us more about how you built your skill set over the years.
I’m a lifelong learner with a deep curiosity for both knowledge and process.
I hold an MFA in New Genres, an MS in Special Education, and I’m currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership.
My skill set has been shaped by formal training, years of teaching, and a constant willingness to experiment. I love to travel, attend workshops, and participate in artist residencies.
I believe in building community with like-minded creatives and continually learning through shared experiences. Working with students has also pushed me to explore emerging media and technologies, often inspiring me to evolve alongside them.
How does your environment influence your creativity?
My environment is everything. I’m inspired by what’s discarded, what’s overlooked, and what carries history or cultural context.
Whether I’m walking through a flea market, thrift store, or sitting in front of our local beach, I see stories in materials and how it relates to that specific environment. Also, living in a small space here in San Diego has taught me to be resourceful and intentional.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
It’s a bit of both. I often start with a concept or emotional anchor, but I allow the materials to lead the way. I do sketches and notes, but I also spend time physically manipulating materials, folding, tying, and layering to see what emerges. I try to balance intuition with intention.
Describe your creative space.
My “studio” is compact and ever-changing. I use walls, floors, and my kitchen table depending on what is my current project. It’s organized chaos, lived-in and full of energy.
Working across many different media, how do you organize all of your creative supplies?
Working across many media, I’ve learned to stay organized by only keeping out the materials I need for my current project. Everything else is stored in my storage, grouped by material or purpose. This helps me stay focused and minimizes overwhelm.
Since I work in a small space, this system allows me to transition smoothly between projects without clutter, while still keeping everything accessible when needed.
Do you use a sketchbook, journal, or technology to plan or keep track of ideas? How does that help your work develop?
I generally use my iPad for everything now! I use it for sketching my late-night musings, a journal for reflections, and take photos for references. It helps me process, remember, and revisit ideas, even ones I’m not ready to make yet.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
New projects spark all the time, especially because I work in both educational and public art spaces. I usually juggle multiple projects, some are in planning, others in execution, and some are waiting for the right moment. That variety keeps me engaged.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
A work I collaborated on this year was the project “Friendship Bracelet” for the World Design Capital. The inspiration came from a simple, universal symbol of connection that everyone knows, regardless of age or culture.
I wanted to take this simple symbol of friendship and scale it up into a public art experience that celebrated unity across borders, generations, and communities. The project brought together seven San Diego Unified schools and three schools across the border in Tijuana.
The students painted a “strand” of the friendship bracelet on a canvas panel. Each student’s work represented an individual voice, and together they formed a large-scale installation that was both playful and meaningful.
Like many of my works, Friendship Bracelet emerged from observing everyday objects and asking how they might carry deeper cultural or emotional weight. I start with a concept or question, “What if? Or “Wouldn’t it be funny if?” This work, “Friendship Bracelet,” was installed at Balboa Park (as part of the WDC exhibit) and at the Mexican Consulate General in San Diego.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I love conceptualizing and the production stage! I love how an idea first takes shape and thoroughly enjoy the process of creation. The challenge is often the logistics of public art installation: permits, budgets, installation plans. I’ve learned to embrace both the poetic and the practical sides of being an artist.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
From lived experiences, conversations, overlooked histories, and the communities with whom I collaborate. I’m inspired by resilience, especially from immigrant and diasporic narratives. And I’m always scanning for materials that tell stories.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
I stay connected to my “why”, creating work that honors memory, fosters dialogue, and centers dignity. Teaching and supporting other art teachers keeps me inspired too.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
Yes: transformation. Whether it’s transforming materials, perceptions, or spaces, I aim to reveal unseen narratives and invite others to see themselves reflected in the work. Themes like reclamation, identity, migration, and visibility run throughout.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve received didn’t come as a quote, but through an experience, a class that focused on the business side of art. It shifted my perspective entirely.
I learned that your passion doesn’t have to remain separate from your livelihood, that it’s possible to build a sustainable career while staying true to your creative voice.
That understanding gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities more strategically, advocate for my work, and see myself not just as an artist but as a professional. It was empowering to realize that creativity and sustainability can coexist.
How do you keep all the balls in the air? Is there one you wish you could drop? Which one will you never give up?
Some days feel it feels super chaotic! I rely on lists, my calendar, short breaks, hot yoga as well as asking for help. I sometimes wish I could drop administrative tasks, like answering emails:-) but I understand it’s essential in communication.
When you have time to create for yourself, what kinds of projects do you make?
When I have time to create for myself, I gravitate toward more personal projects that carry heavy personal, cultural and emotional weight. These pieces tend to be more reflective and process-based, giving me space to explore memory, identity, and storytelling in quieter ways.
Lately, I’ve also been dreaming about developing a property into a dedicated studio space. It’s still in the early stages, but the idea of having room to experiment freely, be inspired by my surroundings, and have a dedicated space sounds pretty awesome.
Where can people see your work?
I am part of the Civic Art Collection: SD Practice for City of San Diego, also I currently have an installation at NTC Art District. I will be in an upcoming exhibit at San Diego Museum of Art/MOPA “Dignity and Art” this summer.
See more on Cat’s website.
Follow Cat on Instagram
Interview posted June 2025
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