Chenhung Chen weaves a web of magic with her sculptures, from delicate copper crocheted pieces to mysterious recycled wires transformed.
The artist is leading walk-through of her exhibition, I Ching in America 2.0 on Saturday, September 1 at 1 p.m.
Focusing on the linear, inspired by the use of line in both Chinese calligraphy and American Abstract Expressionism, she creates delicate but strong sculptural works that weave a symmetry through chaos, and shape beautiful, works that express motion, much like a wave arising from an ocean.
With much of her material recycled from electronic and computer components, her ability to take technological detritus and reshape it creates works that are both haunting and alive, as if instead of conducting electrical current they are conducting the energy of art. Like her deeply dimensional sculptures, her 2D work is also focused on the linear, whether she is working with graphite, acrylic, oil, ink, or patterns created with the staples as a kind of embroidery.
Los Angeles based and born in Beigang, Taiwan, Chen says “I grew up practicing the calligraphy of ancient poetry. I thought it was beautiful both visually and linguistically. It was part of the training of traditional Chinese scholars and it was that training that left an impression upon me during my youth. I enjoyed it, as well as felt it shape my psyche and begin the development of my artistic voice.”
Later, influenced by American culture, she experimented with a variety of materials while still expressing the linear qualities of calligraphy. “I wanted to bring that elusive quality into a three-dimensional setting. This was the motivation behind much of my early work.”
Nine years ago, a friend gave her a bag of thick cables. “I decided to recycle the copper wire in the cables to crochet a different body of work. Then one day it hit me; the cable conducts electricity, just as humans do. We are conduits, conduits of that Power. We try to emulate it, harnessing electricity to advance our lives.”
Today, Chen crochets coated wire with electrica wire, drawing in the air, drawn to the ideas of negative space, silence, and love of nature. She contrasts the materials of daily life, creating parallels that reflect yin and yang, male and female.
Her work’s profoundly visceral quality is balanced by an ethereal, mesmerizing weaving – she is like a spider of art, making webs that transcend the possible.
Don’t miss the artist’s talk this Saturday; the exhibition runs through September 26th.
Chenhung Chen: Artist Talk & Tour
Saturday, September 01, 2018 1:00 PM
Her talk will be followed by an intimate conversation and tour from another richly rewarding artist, Alex Kritselis.
Alex Kritselis: Talk & Tour
Sat, September 01, 2018 2:00 PM
MOAH is located at 655 W. Lancaster Blvd. in Lancaster. That’s 90 minutes from DTLA and worth the drive.
- Genie Davis; photos courtesy of artists