Amber Jean Young recently graduated from San Francisco Art Institute and is breaking out in the art scene with a solo show, Letters Home, at Michael Rosenthal Gallery.

Her knitted, stitched and crocheted 2D and 3D works explore interpersonal and familial relationships, as well as personal history. Investigating coping mechanisms and the complicated emotions such as disappointment and failure that arise through loving others, her work is punchy and “cute” with a cheeky dose of kitsch.

Young describes the utilization of “cute” in her work as being aimed at people’s tendency to make light of subjects and events that are painful and private. She believes “cute” is a dynamic esthetic because it is sad and funny, pathetic and bold. While the show recently closed, you can lean more about the exhibit here.

Imagery via San Francisco Art Enthusiast