Artist Feature Interview: Xiera Younce

Housebound Magazine is thrilled to present our next feature artist, Xiera Younce (they/them). Xiera's work is a testament to nostalgia as a generative, rather than immobilizing, lens. You can connect with them on Instagram (@burned.milk) or buy them a coffee here. They are open for commissions.

Ceramic art is a very intimate, enduring medium, both in creation and application (we think not just of everyday mugs and bowls, but of urns and bricks that have built homes). In many ways, ceramics are at the heart of home. How does your work as a ceramicist inform your understanding of 'functional art'? Is it a worthy point of distinction? Or is all art functional? 

My work as a ceramicist significantly shapes my understanding of functional art. I believe that all art serves a purpose, though the nature of that purpose varies depending on the viewer. For me, the creation process is deeply meaningful and fosters a connection that enhances the artwork's function.

While functional art suggests that a piece serves a practical purpose beyond aesthetics, I also feel that art can be functional in a broader sense. Its functionality can depend on the emotions it evokes and the connections it fosters in individuals.

In my own practice, I feel a profound connection with everything I create. My pieces serve as emotional expressions, but many also serve practical purposes, forming bonds that go beyond mere utility. I think most people can agree that art can be both aesthetically pleasing and emotionally significant.

In conclusion, I believe that all art has some form of functionality, whether through practical use or the emotional connections it fosters. The meaning of objects can change over time, reflecting the varied experiences of those who interact with them. Ultimately, all art serves a purpose within each viewer's personal context.

Housebound was made in answer to the power of nostalgia. Do you find nostalgia to be a gift, a burden, a danger, or something else in your artistic life?

I find nostalgia to be a gift more than anything else. In my work and many of my illustrations, I draw deep inspiration from nostalgia. Even growing up, I was fascinated by the nostalgia of others, people interested in toys, games, and shows that weren’t part of my childhood but were part of theirs. My parents and family friends fueled this feeling, allowing me to vicariously experience their nostalgia and, in turn, learn more about my family.

This sense of anemoia is the reason I began to pursue art professionally in the first place. It continues to influence my creative flow even today. Recently, I’ve found myself feeling nostalgic for the interests I had growing up, which also appear in my work. One of my recent pieces, titled "My Best Friend," is deeply rooted in nostalgia, featuring my sister and me celebrating the birthday of one of our dolls as children, capturing the imaginative worlds we created together.

What/who would be in your collage of creative influences (artists, writers, directors, musicians, acquaintances, animals, you name it)?

Craig McCracken and his creation, The Powerpuff Girls, were the first major influences in my artistic career. Back then, everything I made was themed around The Powerpuff Girls, and this lasted until I was about 14. They still hold a special place in my heart and have shaped me as an artist today. As I got older, Gorillaz became a significant inspiration for me and are still my favorite band. This interest led me to discover one of my favorite artists, Jamie Hewlett. The variety of mediums he works with and the consistent evolution of his style inspire me and help me recognize that, as an artist, you are always evolving.

Today, my major inspirations include childhood nostalgia, current interests, and animals. My work often features various animals, especially cats. I frequently incorporate my own cats, Mochi and Peaches, but I also love advocating for and using my art to raise awareness for the adoption of other animals. 

For my senior capstone at Columbus College of Art and Design, I took this inspiration and passion to heart. I collaborated with a local shelter, Colony Cats and Dogs, illustrating four cats that were having a difficult time getting adopted. I showcased these illustrations at my college's end-of-year art show to help raise awareness for their adoption.

What three words would you use to describe your journey as an artist (so far)? 

I would describe my journey as an artist with the words constant, fulfilling, and self-discovery. I find this journey to be never-ending; although I may feel stagnant at times, the urge to create is something that runs through my blood, and it always has. In that same breath, it never stops being fulfilling. Doing what I love and continuing to express myself and be who I am through creating is beautiful. One of my favorite times to create is when I do it completely for myself, almost like a diary entry or journaling. Putting my thoughts down in the most creative ways possible allows me to express things that I didn't know how to before, and I believe there is nothing that can replace that.

In that same vein, what three words would you use to describe ‘home’?

I would describe it as safe, enriching, and grounding. Home has always been my safe space to be myself. I strive to fill my space with the things I love and that inspire me, a constant reminder of why I do what I do and for whom I do it. My interests, my passions, my friends, and my family all surround me in the place I reside, and I truly believe that is what makes it a home.

If you could add a new tarot card to the Major Arcana, what would that card be, and what would it signify/foretell? 

I’ve seen this concept used in a few indie tarot decks, and I believe it would be a fantastic addition to the Major Arcana. I envision a card called "The Seed," which would symbolize beginnings, unfamiliarity, and awakening. Others have described it as representing new beginnings and infinite potential, which I also find appealing. Although I'm not deeply into tarot, I think it’s quite beautiful, and I love exploring the various concepts and ideas that people create for different cards.

Is there a particular work of yours that you’re especially proud of or felt was the most cathartic (or challenging) to complete? 

I mentioned this briefly before, but one of the most cathartic projects I am incredibly proud of illustrating is a collection titled "Furever Friends in Need." I created this in collaboration with a local shelter called Colony Cats and Dogs. I wanted to give back and do whatever I could to help these animals in need. Unfortunately, these animals often don’t have much of a voice, but I have the power to make a difference. I am so grateful for the opportunity and proud to be part of such a meaningful project.

While working with the shelter, I was able to meet each cat and learn a little about their personalities. This way, during the end-of-year art show at my college, people would know more about them. The illustrations aimed to help potential adopters connect with the cats and give them a greater chance of being adopted, uniquely showcasing their faces and personalities.

In addition to these portraits, I created social media videos that I shared as Instagram Reels, discussing each cat and showing my process as I illustrated them. This gave each cat even more exposure to potential adopters. This is definitely one of my favorite projects to date, and I would love to do a similar project in the future.

Xiera is an illustrator, surface designer, animator, and ceramicist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration from the Columbus College of Art & Design.⁠ Their distinctive style is characterized by vibrant colors and diverse characters, inviting viewers into the imaginative worlds they create. Driven by a passion for storytelling, Xiera believes in the power of creativity to foster meaningful connections.⁠