Artist Sue Tsai Brings Fragility and Strength to the World of Basketball
The self-taught talent shares the stories behind her hustle.
Born and raised in New York, Sue Tsai has worked to define her own signature style in her art practice, which includes paintings, jewelry and basketballs. Tsai has been creating artwork centered around strength and female empowerment for nearly seven years, and frequently taps into other passion points, like with her recently announced official collaboration with Space Jam 2. As someone who “watches basketball all the time,” Tsai made sure to take in the very surreal moment when she heard her name aloud at the NBA Eastern Conference Finals when the partnership was announced.
Building upon her popular “Flower Bomb” basketball series, her new collaboration with Space Jam 2 features a Bugs Bunny design that’s enhanced with dollar sign carrots, her signature floral motif and her unique sense of color theory. Making this milestone even more impressive, the pop surrealist artist is not only self-taught but also self-made: Tsai is responsible for all the research and manufacturing behind the art collectibles that she releases, showing a hustle few can match. As part of the NBA’s “That’s Game” campaign, HYPEBEAST spoke to Tsai about the process behind creating her signature basketballs and the theme of strength in her art, which can also be seen throughout the league.
HYPEBEAST: Let’s start by talking about your love for basketball. Where does it stem from?
Sue Tsai: I grew up with three older guy cousins who were super obsessed with basketball. Two of them lived with me and my family. They came from Taiwan to go to school out here for better opportunities. They played in a youth basketball camp and they’d make me practice with them. They’re the first people who introduced me to becoming a Kobe fan and we’d watch Lakers games. It molded my idea of basketball, and it showed me dedication and growth because they worked really hard. Especially for Asian Americans in basketball, which is rare. So they also instilled these ideas in me, going against the odds and having a strong work ethic, which all stem from basketball.
What inspired you to bring your signature style to a basketball?
I love how simple things, like a basketball, can really transcend across all cultures and barriers. I also wanted to bring beauty to a basketball in my own style that represented what I felt my art is about, strength. Basketball is a very male-dominated space, not only the game and what we see on TV but also the merchandising and jerseys and clothes. So, I wanted to bring a feminine touch that shows how powerful women can be within these spaces.
Navigating the art “game” is no easy feat. What are some of the biggest wins in your journey as an artist?
My biggest win as an artist has been developing a style that people can easily recognize. And creating art that people can just relate to. I feel like that I’ve been able to achieve that. I’ve gotten opportunities to work with some of the biggest brands like PUMA and Canon, and I’m a part of Space Jam 2. Sometimes it really does feel like I’m playing a game, and I’m like running up and down the court and everyone is witnessing my moves. I think most of the time that it looks like a lot of slam dunks and wins, and there’s cheering and applause, but behind the scenes, there’s as many losses or challenges that you wouldn’t see.
It’s a lot of pressure sometimes to maintain a level of success — it’s not a negative thing but it’s a lot of pressure to live up to these expectations. My entire journey has been on social media from my very first painting up until now. That’s seven years of people watching me go from my first painting to being promoted on TV during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. It’s an amazing journey, and if I can inspire anyone, then it’s definitely worth all the hustle that I’ve put in towards it.
Can you discuss the process behind producing your basketballs?
That’s the hardest thing about doing everything on your own, you have to figure it out. I think the biggest struggle is the communication with the factories and manufacturing, which are overseas in Asia. Luckily for me, I speak Mandarin. I’m also about quality, so I have to send a lot of references. We send samples back and forth, back and forth. I make changes. I draw it out by hand. It was challenging, but it definitely has its rewards because its very fulfilling and you learn so much from it. I learned about what materials you use, how much pressure goes into it. It’s so many little things that I’d never think of, which is why it becomes so much research and development when creating products on your own.
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A major theme of your work is strength, are there any basketball players or qualities of the NBA that represent strength to you?
For me, strength is multifaceted. If we’re talking about physical strength, Zion Williamson really represents that. He’s explosive and he makes his presence felt, but does it humbly at the same time. Actions always speak louder than words, which is a way to show strength that I really respect. And recently, Jeremy Lin made a statement [about] unofficially retiring and wanting to pass the torch to the next generation. I really respected his vulnerability and love for the games to be able to pass that on. I also know, firsthand, how it feels to be like one of the only Asian Americans within your space and how much pressure it is to be representing that.
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Who’s your favorite team in the league?
I’d have to say the Knicks. Growing up in New York, I just couldn’t not be a Knicks fan. I still have my first Patrick Ewing jersey. To me, the Knicks represent the real New York, like going through change and so many ups and downs but showing resiliency through it all. The Knicks are a team that people relate to on a personal level. They have the most ride-or-die fans. I feel like being a Knicks fan, it’s not a choice. It kind of just happens. Then you’re just emotionally invested forever.
Given that your basketballs are titled “Flower Bomb,” and your art practice includes a lot of mantras, are there any mantras that come to mind when creating your basketballs?
These basketballs really represent women empowerment and the “Flower Bombs” are inspired by the saying, “Women aren’t fragile like a flower, they’re fragile like a bomb.” Women are so strong and fearless and they have this beautiful exterior and we challenge ourselves to constantly grow. Fragility should be looked at as a strength. That’s what the flower encompasses on the ball. I also have the bees with broken heart wings. They represent a matriarchy in which women hold all the power. And despite the brokenness and the wings, they still fly.
Thinking about the NBA’s theme this year, which is represented by the slogan “That’s Game,” what’s up next in your career? Are there any new ideas or ventures that you’re curious about?
I’ve been exploring this collectible art space, which is how the basketball happened. I’m also coming out with my first figurines, and next up on the calendar will be my plushes, which is probably my favorite thing. I love the artistic home goods that I have coming because it’s cool to see how people take those items. They create a space for them and it becomes very individualized. Next, I’d really love to get into the beauty industry. I love color palettes, I’m all about color. Everything’s super vivid in my artwork, so I know that it’d make an amazing eyeshadow palette or lipstick.