Brian Vu
Brian Vu is on fire. Over the last few years he’s blossomed from a brilliant photographer to a true multimedia visionary. His work is a psychedelic and eye-catching portrayal of strength and identity. You can find his work on album art, clothing, even the occasional billboard in Times Square. In addition to photographing icons like Hari Nef, Aquaria, and Joanna Newsom, he’s released books, made music videos and, most recently, started his own makeup line. I got to catch up with the prolific NYC artist and ask him what he plans to conquer next.
EMILY: Hi Brian! It’s such a pleasure to get to talk with you. You’re one of my favorite artists on the planet. Who are some of your favorite artists on the planet and who or what do you find inspiration from?
BRIAN: Hi Emily, thank you so much. The same goes for you! Ren Hang was one of the first artists that truly resonated with me. I didn’t have many queer Asian artists to look up to up until I found his work. I also find so much inspiration within the queer community. My life has changed for the better ever since I started connecting with such a wide array of people.
E: You’re originally from California, but you’ve been living in New York City for a while now. What kind of art did you make while living on the West Coast?
B: The art that I made in California was about the landscape. I never grew up relating to many people out there so it became my way of seeing beauty in the world. Making art was an escape from my reality. Looking back, there wasn’t much depth to the work other than that. I feel it’s so opposite now that I’ve grown up and found myself. At the time, I made photographs, collages, and graphic design.
E: Do you feel like moving to New York had a big impact on the direction of your work? In general, does environment have a strong influence on the art you make?
B: New York not only made a big impact on my art but also my life. Moving here was the worst and the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I say the worst because when I had arrived I knew probably one or two people. I was extremely lonely for so many years. After working on myself and figuring out the life I wanted to have, I am excited about this city all over again. My environment does have such a strong impact. I photograph so many people here that my work screams NYC. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d like to be right now.
E: Your work pushes the boundaries of photography. Your recent work seems to incorporate elements of collage, painting and sculpture. You’ve also proven yourself to be prolific across many mediums including video, fabric, fashion, and now you’ve just launched a new beauty line. What made you decide to start Brian Beauty?
B: I began photographing artists in New York who incorporated makeup in their everyday. These were makeup looks that I’d never seen before, it was absolutely exciting to me. Naturally I decided to experiment with it myself. After working with my manager for a few months, he pitched me the idea for Brian Beauty. I am so glad it’s happening! We’re just looking forward to seeing what everyone creates with our paints. The shoots so far have been a thrill.
E: Is it difficult to balance running a business with creating the product? Those are two very different sides of the brain!
“[My] work is first and foremost about my subjects. I want to celebrate people who stand out.”
B: This is where my manager Nyle comes in. He’s so business savvy and has worked in the makeup industry before. I mainly focus on the creative side. We work really well together, he’s a Taurus and I’m a Virgo. I’m envisioning so many possibilities for the brand and am excited to share it all.
E: Everyone in your photos looks like a superhero! You make each person look strong, powerful, and unique. Your work also represents people of all genders, races, sexualities, and body types. Does your identity — and identity in general — play a large role in your art?
B: My identity used to be completely ingrained in my art. The work that I made all throughout my life was completely ego-driven. I still believe a lot of it was well made and for the right intentions, but in retrospect I feel like that was such a different person from who I am today. It was hard for me to open up about the darkest parts of my life. When I kept doing it over and over, it didn’t fulfill me. So I made it a point to take a different approach. Now my work is first and foremost about my subjects. I want to celebrate people who stand out. My portraiture used to be about vulnerability, but now it’s all about empowerment.
E: What can we expect to see from you in the near future? Are there any mediums of art you haven’t already explored (and mastered) but would like to try?
B: Right now I’m focusing on editorial and magazine work. I just did a shoot with one of my favorite pop stars that I’m excited to edit! I’ve always wanted to take a ceramics or sculpture class! More importantly, I’d like to do work that can help our environment. That’s where I’m headed.
⤏ BUY THE PRINT EDITION OF JR HI THE MAGAZINE | ISSUE 006 HERE.
⤏ EMILY REO (SHE/HER) IS A MUSICIAN, ARTIST AND AUDIO ENGINEER LIVING IN QUEENS, NY. HER NEWEST ALBUM ‘ONLY YOU CAN SEE IT’ CAME OUT IN 2019 ON CARPARK RECORDS. YOU CAN CATCH HER AT @EMILYREO, EMILYREO.COM OR ON TOUR AGAIN ONCE THE PLANET RESUMES TO NORMALCY.