Without End
May 11–June 29, 2012
Opening: Friday, May 11, 6–8pm
Conversation: Saturday May 26, 4–5:30pm
with Jonathon Goodman and Joanne W. Chen
ISE Cultural Foundation
555 Broadway, New York NY 10012
ISE Cultural Foundation is pleased to present Without End, an exhibition of works by New York-based artist Jenny Chen, curated by Joanne W. Chen.
In a global village, “hometown” is no longer defined by a region. So are the contemporary artists. Educated multi-culturally and internationally, they cannot be defined by a certain nationality. The only certainty is the existence of one’s self and the essence of life—a flowing state of being. In our life, we learn how to “flow” between cities and countries, and to coexist with ourselves and strangers. To survive in a “flowing” society, we need to masticate the negative energy through the creative process and transform it into a new experience. Even if one manages to stay in a “stable” city, the essence of life is indeed flowing by nature.
For Jenny Chen, abstract paintings are portraits of the “mind.” The mind changes and so do her paintings. That difference is, in fact, a nature state between the creator and the viewer. Abstract painting is an object of multiple sides. A different angle always reveals a different visual and spiritual truth. In her work, Chen looks for the meditation space between fantasy and reality. Her creative process is like a series of rituals for clearing the mind. Along the way, we understand more about nature, intervention, and the coalescence process of mind and Tao. Chen draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese philosophers, Lao Tzu and Zhuang Tzu. In Zhuang Tzu’s philosophy, “free mind” means a person’s spirit is not encumbered by anything, hence reaches a state of true spontaneity and nature, an “effortless effort” (Wu Wei). More over, if one could “understand the unity beyond everything” (Chi Wu), they would be fully liberated (Hsiao Yao). That is Chen’s spiritual and creative compass. Her artistic principle is dualism, just like yin and yang, and the exhibition Without End delves into Chen’s practice, including her recent painting, sculpture, and installation.
About the Artist
Jenny Chen (b. 1944, China) studied literature at National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan. She received her MFA in modern art and painting from the Pratt Institute, New York, USA. She has exhibited throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. Select recent highlights include: Time-Flow-Works (2010), Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei, Taiwan; The Beauty of Solitude (2008),Tenri Cultural Institute of New York, USA; Representation of Phenomenon-Paintings (2003), Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China; The 7th International Ink Art Biennale of Shenzhen (2010), Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China; Salon Comparaisons (2006), Grand Palais, Paris, France. Chen’s works are included in several private and public collections including the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taiwan; Shanghai Art Museum, China; and Kaohsiung Fine Arts Museum, Taiwan. She currently lives and works in New York City.
About the Curator
Joanne W. Chen is the former Marketing Director of Taiwan Art Gallery Association and Art Taipei. Currently, she’s the founder of inCube Arts, a non-profit art organization, in New York City. She is also an independent curator, art consultant, and widely published critic. Chen has also curated international exhibitions such as London Calling a touring exhibition (China/Taiwan), Joshua Balgos’ solo exhibition Whatever It Takes at the Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts. She was also part of the curatorial team for artist SHY Gong’s exhibition Pilgrimage in Labyrinth at the Taipei Fine Art Museum and Pseudo Hacker’s Art in Parallel Zone at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (MOCA). She has written and published her articles internationally in Art Investment, ARTCO, ARTITUDE, Art Collection + Design Magazine, and the Art Taipei Forum Media.
About ISE Cultural Foundation
The ISE Cultural Foundation was founded in 1983 by the endowments from three of Ise Group Inc. ISE Cultural Foundation Gallery in New York was established in 1984 as a non-profit organization to support mostly emerging, under-represented artists, and curators by providing the opportunities of exhibition in New York City.
For more information
Yuko Suzuki (Assistant Director, ISE Cultural Foundation): suzuki@iseny.org
Joanne W. Chen (Curator): joanne@incube-arts.org
Jenny Chen’s Website: www.jennychen.info
Organized by ISE Cultural Foundation
Executed by inCube Arts
Sponsored by Council of Cultural Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan), Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York, The Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs
Special thanks to Beyond Gallery, JUT Living Development Co. Ltd.
ISE Cultural Foundation
Council of Cultural Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York
The Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs
inCube Arts
Beyond Gallery
JUT Living Development Co. Ltd.
