Sampy Sicada is a surrealist painter based in New York City.

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(00:00) Moving to US for SCAD, then NYU

(03:06) Hong Kong birth, international schooling, UK move

(06:11) Early drawing, Captain Underpants, not serious yet

(09:02) Hong Kong atmosphere: stress, conformity, not belonging

(12:44) Identity split: British colony legacy, cultural tensions

(16:07) Asian collectivism vs Western individual sovereignty

(19:05) UK difference: permission to live your own way

(22:08) Falling out, grief, depression, homelessness begins

(25:41) Living in parks, unsafe circles, police beating

(29:18) Turning point: “draw the best thing” challenge ...