Today we’d like to introduce you to May Ling Kopecky
May Ling, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been an artist my whole life. I started painting and drawing before I can remember, and I always felt like I could turn to art as a way to express my ideas. However, as a child, I never could have imagined that I would be making the sort of art that I am now.
Shortly after I turned 13, I felt a concerning buzzing sensation in my neck and spine when I would tilt my head forward. My pediatrician was unsure about what was causing this symptom, and after a couple weeks it went away. When I was 15, I started experiencing involuntary convulsions in my torso. This time, my pediatrician recommended I get an MRI scan, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) later that year.
Due to my young age and otherwise healthy appearance, I faced a lot of skepticism when talking about having MS. I was told that I “looked fine” or was “too young” to have health problems. My artwork is a response to this skepticism. My drawings and paintings visualize how I navigate the world with MS, focusing on my relationship with healthcare, the physical evidence of my symptoms in MRI scans, and how I and others perceive the world when experiencing various MS symptoms. Using art as a means of communication, I spread MS awareness, build community, and advocate for people with invisible illnesses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For a long time, it seemed like MS would prevent me from achieving my goals. I have dealt with symptoms like double vision, migraines, muscle weakness, balance problems, chronic fatigue, and more. Sometimes my MS symptoms make it difficult to create art, and I have had to develop different ways to cope with this. Even though I’ve always had a lot of support from family and loved ones, the skepticism I faced when talking about MS made it difficult to ask for help, and it took many years to learn how to advocate for myself. Despite all of these obstacles, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Fine Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD).
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in detailed, small-scale paintings and drawings. My art reflects my experiences with pediatric-onset MS, sharing my journey of reframing obstacles and continuing to find beauty in the world despite being diagnosed with a chronic illness at a young age. My work has received multiple awards in art exhibitions across the US, and I have been featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Momentum Magazine, and the Star Tribune. In 2021, I was awarded Second Place for the Kennedy Center VSA Emerging Young Artist Competition in Washington D.C., where I advocated for students with disabilities and accessibility in the arts. I have been an art instructor for both adults and children, and I currently work in the Learning Center and Accessibility Services department at MCAD, helping students with disabilities navigate the world of higher education. I have also been a part of the Plymouth Arts Council since 2018, helping promote local artists and coordinate art events in the area.
I think I’m most proud of the type of work that I do and the effect that it has had. When I first started making art about MS, I was apprehensive, but it wasn’t until I did this that I began to find community, and ultimately use my art to create community as well. I was able to meet other people who were diagnosed with MS at a young age, and this encouraged me to continue sharing my story through my work. I have also been encouraged by community responses to my work. Many people have told me that my art has made them feel understood, or that it has visualized feelings they weren’t able to put into words. Some have even said that they’ve shared my work to try to help others understand what it’s like to have a chronic illness.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Coming from three generations of professors, I grew up with a love for learning. I was always drawn to detail, precision, and accuracy. I can recall many times when I was painting or drawing something extremely tedious and people asked me how I had the patience for it. While I was mainly interested in STEM subjects at school, I always made art and played instruments (primarily piano and flute) as creative hobbies on the side. I was the sort of child that would pick an interest and stick with it. For example, I started using acrylic paint when I was five, and it has continued to be my favorite medium. I have always been very determined with clear goals, so being diagnosed with MS as a teenager forced me to become more flexible and learn how to adapt to changes in plans.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maylingkopecky.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayling.k/
