ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Derrick Lin's Miniature Dioramas Play with Scale and Emotion

artist · 2026-06-29

Since 2013, Derrick Lin has been creating miniature dioramas on his desk, using hand-painted figures and settings built from cardboard and found objects. His photographs often include playful scale references like giant pencils or coffee mugs. Lin explores emotions such as stress, loneliness, wonder, grief, and the passage of time through cinematic lighting and figures that look away from the viewer. He describes his work as a way to manifest quiet thoughts and emotions he hesitates to express. The dioramas feature nostalgic touches and are shared on his Instagram.

Key facts

  • Derrick Lin has created miniature dioramas since 2013.
  • Dioramas are built on his desk using cardboard and found objects.
  • Figures are hand-painted and often include nostalgic elements.
  • Playful scale references include giant writing utensils and coffee mugs.
  • Themes include stress, loneliness, wonder, grief, and the passage of time.
  • Cinematic lighting and averted gazes draw viewers into the scenes.
  • Lin states his work magnifies emotions he hesitates to express.
  • His work is shared on Instagram.

Entities

Artists

  • Derrick Lin

Institutions

  • Colossal

Sources