A figure carrying a small suitcase crosses the gangplank onto an ocean liner. A woman stands amid a city street, waiting for a tram. And a man in a fedora heads toward historic steps in what is perhaps a European city. Yet if you look a little closer, you’ll see the roofs resemble milk cartons. The tram rolls in amid books stood on end. And in the distance beyond the docked ships… a giant coffee mug?
Since 2013, Derrick Lin has created miniature dioramas on his desk. Hand-painted figures inhabit settings constructed from cardboard and found objects, often with a nostalgic twist. And in a nod to the the tableaux’s tiny characteristics, he playfully pops in references to the scale of the real world, hence the giant writing utensils and the ceramic mug that occasionally towers architectonically in the background.
Over time, Lin has tapped into a range of emotions and experiences from stress and loneliness in urban situations to the wonder of world exploration, the passing of time, grief, and more. Through cinematic lighting and figures that often look away from the viewer, we’re transported into their experiences and encouraged by curiosity.
“I believe the thoughts and feelings we keep to ourselves are what truly shape us,” Lin says. “By using miniature figures as a manifestation of those quiet thoughts and emotions I hesitate to express, I can magnify and spotlight those emotions.”
See more on Lin’s Instagram.
