I discovered Anni Jyn’s art work on BlueSky on the last days of December 2023 and went on to check her portfolio. I was stoked. Her art, both provocative and tender, unashamed yet caring, really resonated with me, my deeper self, struggles, hopes, positive triggers...  It is like her work describes my planet and reveals it to me, beautified.

^{I love your hair - source}

I felt the urge to help the world discover this amazing talent and thought I would interview her. Amazingly, she said Yes. Here it is.

Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. How would you describe your work ? How would you describe the intention behind your work ?

I would describe my work as erotically charged journal entries and as for intention, I believe the intention for me is usually to comfort myself via drawing lots of little lines and anything that the viewer sees or feels is just a bonus. 

What is your best seller's work ?

My most popular pieces are ‘Butt Stuff’, ‘You Will Not Be Angry Forever’,  ‘Yours, x’ and ‘Eat Well’.

^{Anni Jyn's most popular pieces}

What is the one work of yours that you deeply love and feel would deserve more success ?

I can’t pick just one! Usually it’s the ones that have meant a lot to me while I’ve been creating them like ‘Reminder’ or some of the pieces that are considered more “fanart” since I love it when people find a common interest with me. 

^{Anni Jyn, “Reminder” - source}

When did you realise this is what you wanted to do as a living ? Could you tell us more about  your background? What was your youth like ? What did you dream to become, as a kid ?

Maybe around five years ago. My artistic background lies with sculpture and photography, I have always drawn and sketched but I found myself leaning towards it primarily six years ago as it was an easier, more affordable way to stretch my creative muscles.

My youth was spent making silly youtube videos with my friends, watching the weirdest horror movies imaginable and listening to a lot of metal music. 

At one point I thought I was going to become a vet but I became immersed in the world of photography at sixteen and started my own business at seventeen refurbishing film cameras and flipping them.

I gather from your work that you are very much into movies. What are your top-3 favorite movies / TV shows ?

Top 3 favorite movies: Evil Dead (2013), The Lord of The Rings franchise, The NeverEnding Story

Top 3 favorite TV shows: The Haunting of Hill House, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Peep Show

^{Movie / Series}

Some of your work is deeply erotic. As a human, what lessons did you learn through sex, about yourself, that you would like to pass on, or never forget, whomever you end up with ? 

If you believe in guilty pleasures it implies that you are ashamed of them. 

^{“Put the past behind us” - source}

Mmmh that is quite deep! What is your safe word ? If you don't have one, what would it be ?

PO-TAY-TOES

My 16-year old daughter is studying art in high school and she wanted me to ask you this: what is your work process ? Do you start at the computer or on paper? 

I start on both! Mostly it’s my ipad as this is handy for me but sometimes I feel like I want to work in a sketchbook and keep the drawings for myself. 

What would be your advice to her ? 

Do what you love. Explore often. Don’t let other people define what art is for you.

Could you help me convince her that Math and science are important too ?

Math and science are always going to be important! While I struggle with numbers there is so much creativity within both subjects if you know where to look. 

Science has proven a big inspiration for me in a lot of my art projects throughout college and university.

Do you have kids yourself ?

I do not have children. 

What are the artists you look up to that have or had a strong impact and influence on you ?

Eva Hesse, H.R Giger, my grandfather. 

^{Eva Hesse / H.R. Giger}

Do you sometimes think about the afterlife?  What does it look like ? As a human being, what do you think life is really about ? What do you wish as your last thought ?

Life is about community. And I used to think about what happens after a lot more when I was younger but if I spend too much time thinking about the afterlife then I’m not spending my time on actually living. 

I like to think my last thought would be something profound but it will probably be about food. 

I have the feeling that in pop culture, we mistake art and entertainment. Is that something that triggers you ?

It doesn’t trigger me at all. I find that art can be entertainment and entertainment can be art. I don’t think there is a difference between the two all the time, they share a lot of the same qualities. Both art and entertainment are meant to fill gaps in your daily life, relieve you from boredom and move you to feel anything at all. 

^{“Long to be free” - source}

Who would you suggest that I interview next ?

The incredible Apollonia Saintclair! 

^{Apollonia Saintclair - “The unanswered question” - source}

Anni, I want to thank you for your time, and for letting us in a little bit in your fascinating world. Your last answer points me another fascinating artist to discover so, I have my next interview cut out!