ABOUT
Gavin Jin, born in Hangzhou, China, is a San Diego-based interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker who currently attends the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for a BFA in the Film/Animation/Video program. Gavin hated art classes until one day in grade 3 of primary school, when he randomly developed an interest in drawing cats (a very gay thing, indeed). He quickly shifted to disproportional manga figures, doodling realistic eyes on math scratch papers, and designing video game characters. Finally, after making a rather flamboyant poster for a student volleyball game in middle school, he began to seriously consider a future in the world of art and design.
Gavin's works have been exhibited internationally—literally, because he attended schools in both China and the United States. Nonetheless, he does envision his future works to be able to grace serious international shows and platforms. But for now, his student works have been displayed in the San Diego County Fair, San Diego Public Library, Blick Art Supplies Store, CalArts, and RISD.
Once an exclusive painter, he grew an interest in films halfway through high school, where he became the secretary of the film club. Although he got into RISD originally for painting, he decided to switch his major last minute to Film/Animation/Video. He thanks his first semester design professor, who opened his eyes to the field of open-media and video projection, and his friends who convinced him to make this change.
Exhibitions and Awards
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
AP Studio Art: Drawing (2022) Score: 5
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