Gavin Jin (b.2005, Hangzhou, China) is an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in San Diego, California. They are currently pursuing a BFA in Film/Animation/Video at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island, where they received the John A. Chironna Memorial Scholarship for Fine Art (FAV) in 2026.
Although they came to RISD originally for painting, they decided to switch their major last minute to Film/Animation/Video, where they could play with time and movements. Their current practices include film, animation, performance, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, musical performance, and sound production. Common topics explored in Gavin's works ranges from their personal experiences as an immigrant in America to their exploration of their intersectional queer identity (and their love for food, of course). Instead of describing their work as a "melting pot" of different elements of their identity, Gavin likes to offer the audience a buffet of honest desires that some people might be ashamed to express.
Although they came to RISD originally for painting, they decided to switch their major last minute to Film/Animation/Video, where they could play with time and movements. Their current practices include film, animation, performance, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, musical performance, and sound production. Common topics explored in Gavin's works ranges from their personal experiences as an immigrant in America to their exploration of their intersectional queer identity (and their love for food, of course). Instead of describing their work as a "melting pot" of different elements of their identity, Gavin likes to offer the audience a buffet of honest desires that some people might be ashamed to express.
Gavin's artworks have been shown internationally—literally, as he studied in both China and the U.S. However, they hope their future works will appear in major international exhibitions and platforms. Currently, his student pieces have been exhibited at the San Diego County Fair, San Diego Public Library, Blick Art Supplies, CalArts, RISD, and Betterpress Lab in Rome, Italy.
They also work freelance as a Set Dresser and Art Department intern on film productions, including Verdi Production and Director Tom Donahue's Documentary Feature, Finding Oz, expected to release in summer/fall 2027.
Exhibitions and Awards
John A. Chironna Memorial Scholarship Award (RISD Division of Fine Art) (2026)
"As We Are 2026"-4th Annual Pride Exihibition - RISD Illustration, PVD Pride (2026)
"Queer in a Ghost Town" Photography Series
Boston-wide Art Gallery (2025) — Boston, MA
"Xi & Qi" Short Film on 16mm.
"ImPReSsiQni—Impressions of Rome" (2025) — Rome, Italy
Linocut Prints, Polaroids, and Video displayed at the Betterpress Lab.
Scholastic Silver Key (2020) — West Region, US
"Phantom of Peking Opera" Acrylics and Chinese Ink Painting
San Diego County Fair (2023) — San Diego, California
"East vs. West" First Place
"Freshness as captured by camera" First Place
California Arts Scholar, Visual Arts, CSSSA (2022) — California
Poway Student Art Scholarship Recipient (2023) — Poway, California
Westview Student of the Year in Drawing & Painting (2023) — San Diego, California
Westview Student Performing Artist of the Year (2023) — San Diego, California
RISD EFS Spatial Dynamics Student Collection (2024-2025) — Providence, Rhode Island