WEN LIU

Wen Liu was born in Shanghai, China and is currently based in Chicago. Her art covers multiple disciplines, drawing from her background in wearable art, fiber, and sculpture.

Wen's sculptures address loss and abandonment through the modification and assembly of found materials. She uses reclaimed domestic objects to build up her sense of belonging and security. Sculptural reinvestment and temporal shift of traces from past to present imply narratives of absence and presence as well as alienation and comfort.

Liu is one of the participating artists for the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition (April 6 - June 3) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 23rd Annual Asian American Showcase, 2018. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

Does your identity or personal story inform your work? Who/what inspires you?

Yes. My works talk about my status as an immigrant, and the thoughts of my homeland and the US.

"Everywhere & Nowhere" by Wen Liu. Image courtesy of artist.

How do you think digital formats impact your field and your audience?

I think digital formats help promote access to my art and allow me a wider audience.

"Lazarus" by Wen Liu. Image courtesy of artist.

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on an other project similar to my piece Everywhere & Nowhere, with inspiration from Chinese quilting traditions.

"Spears" by Wen Liu. Image courtesy of artist.

"Veteran" by Wen Liu. Image courtesy of artist.

See more of Wen Liu's work on https://wen-liu.com // Instagram @wen_liu_1217 // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 3, 2018.

Artist Interview // SEAN CHAO

Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Sean Chao now finds home in Los Angeles. In 2007, Chao graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, with a BFA in Illustration. He learned how to create in a variety of mediums, from drawing to painting to sculpture. He found that he liked making art with his hands.

Chao creates his miniature sculptures in a small studio with Sculpey (a type of polymer clay), bass wood, balsa wood, paper, wire, and painstaking precision. He creates a delicate balance in his sculptures by showing enough detail to illicit amazement and yet enough imperfection to reveal that they’re lovingly handmade.

Nature is a recurring theme in Chao’s work. He often depicts dense forests filled with plants, animals, and insects. He’s also portrayed ocean scenes and even space scenes. He creates a lot of movement in every scene so that each one feels like a moment frozen in time. Watching people view Chao’s artwork, you can’t help but notice their looks of awe as they pore over all the minute details and then their smiles as they walk away. So his intention with his artwork to offer a bit of joy to people seems to be working. Art that tries to change the world - even in a small way—may not be so simplistic after all.

-bio from Sean Chao's website

"Fruit for Thought" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

Chao is one of the participating artists for the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition (April 6 - June 3) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 23rd Annual Asian American Showcase, 2018. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic practice!

Does your identity or personal story inform your work? Who/what inspires you?

I like to create art based on my personal experiences and things happening around me or my friends. Nature is one of my favorite subjects so I tried to go out and explore as much as I can.

How has technology affected your creative process? Does this affect how you view or choose to interact with the world?

Technology is not essential during the creating process of my works. I basically built them very low tech with my hands. However computer definitely makes research and brainstorming process easy.
I think technology brought everyone closer to each other and the world became smaller by it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing though.

"Nunu" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

How do you think digital formats impact your field and your audience?

When people see art on digital formats most of the time are in front of a computer or phone on Instagram. It’s faster to reach out to the audiences but digital images can never translate perfectly for three dimensional sculpture. Seeing them in person always will have a stronger impact.

"Giant Robot Cat" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

What do you think about AI?

I think AI is ok, as long as it doesn’t think human is a threat to ourselves and wipe us out like in a Hollywood movie.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently traveling in Japan but I will be creating new works for a group show at gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California.

"Float On" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

See more of Sean Chao's work on www.seanchao.com // Instagram @seanchaochao // Facebook seanchaoart // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 3, 2018.

Artist Interview // AGNES MA

Agnes Ma is a multidisciplinary artist whose prior background in biology is subtly interwoven in her chosen media of sculpture, metalwork, and jewelry. In her everyday life, she observes and collects forms in nature. Through this process, she is better able to appreciate and understand her environment.

Agnes is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016.

We sat down with Agnes at her studio in DeKalb to ask her a bit about her work and artistic journey! Check out her video interview below:

See more of Agnes Ma’s work on her website w ww.agnesma.com // Instagram @i_am_agnesma // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.