New Exhibit Opens at Crafton Hills College

REDLANDS>> "Crossings," a retrospective of artist Chenhung Chen, will be on exhibit at Crafton Hills College's Art Gallery Oct. 27 through Nov. 18, with an opening reception and artist talk on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Born in Taiwan, the Los Angeles-based artist's mixed media drawings, sculptures and installations focus on the use of lines. For her 3D pieces, she often uses repurposed and found materials, like copper wire and computer components. In 2D, she experiments with different materials, including graphite to ink, oil to acrylic, paper to canvas and everyday objects with linear qualities. Chen said her work is about "dichotomy: concord and dissonance, stillness and chaos, the beautiful and the grotesque, the subtle and the powerful. From this are formed works dealing with balance, the making of the invisible into the visible, the driving force for inner fulfillment, the meditative process, human internal structures and the transitional human condition." Chen said she is influenced by Zen Buddhism and the Tao Te Ching, and holds a BFA from Chinese Cultural University in Taiwan and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and she has had solo shows in Los Angeles and New York. Chen also travels the world as a volunteer for The Prem Rawat Foundation, striving to achieve world peace. "I feel it is an honor to show my work to students who also want to dedicate themselves to pushing their limits, as many have done throughout history," Chen said. "When I was at the School of Visual Arts, I attended lectures from guest artists who talked about their art and experiences and, to this day, I am still inspired by what I gleaned from their expression. I hope my work will inspire students to ask questions about themselves and also further their investigation and reflection on their life experience." The Art Gallery is located in the Learning Resource Center and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Parking fees will be waived for the opening reception and artist talk.