ABOUT
Gavin Jin (b.2005, Hangzhou, China) is an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in San Diego, California. He is currently pursuing a BFA in Film/Animation/Video at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Once an exclusive painter, he developed 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 Lucas Halem and Lily Zheng, who convinced him to make this change. His current practices include film, animation, performance, drawing, painting, printmaking, musical performance, and sound production.
Once an exclusive painter, he developed 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 Lucas Halem and Lily Zheng, who convinced him to make this change. His current practices include film, animation, performance, drawing, painting, printmaking, musical performance, and sound production.
Gavin's artworks have been shown internationally—literally, as he studied in both China and the U.S. However, he hopes his 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.
Exhibitions and Awards
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
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