May 2024 / Intertwined Realities

Intertwined Realities

Sunny Moxin Chen
jade wong
Nanxi Jin
Rulin Ma
Jia Jia

May 02 - June 01, 2024
Opening Reception / Thursday, May 02, 5–8pm

Spring Hours:
Friday–Sunday, 12–5pm

The very essence of human existence resonates with its ever-evolving nature, notably in the changing body, experiences of loss, and the deep-seated longing propelling us forward. "Intertwined Realities" offers an immersive journey into these dimensions, merging the concepts of the body's adaptability as a mechanism for escape and transformation with the visual representations of our intertwined identities. These identities, in flux and influenced by external forces, are integral to our understanding. Furthermore, the exhibition champions a multisensory approach, encouraging attendees to deeply process and internalize their experiences, fostering personal growth. Beyond a mere exhibition, "Intertwined Realities" invites reflection on our collective human journey, enveloping visitors in a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives. In this space, visitors are not mere observers but active participants, finding fragments of their own stories in the confluence of shared experiences.

ARTIST STATEMENTS /

jade wong

Filmmaking is like cooking–an alchemy of magic, sensation, and transformation. I am deeply informed by my family’s history in restaurant work, in my role as a caretaker for my grandmother, and in the networks of care and resistance developed within immigrant communities and communities of queer people of color. Moving through experimental documentary, analog filmmaking, object-making, and sound, my practice weaves our collective, intertwining histories while exploring the revelatory and healing potential of the senses. This mode of filmmaking has slowly developed into a practice of listening, healing, of knowing and not-knowing, while navigating my positionality as a queer, second generation immigrant of the Taiwanese & Teochew-Cambodian diaspora in the U.S. I aspire to approach my work with the same care as my grandmother searching for the perfect melon at the market--carefully examining each one, tenderly caressing it, giving it a pat and listening to its sound.

aromatics of longing (爆香) examines self as artist/maker while exploring intersections of sensory memory, cooking, care, and domestic work. Made in response to the end of a long-term relationship with a birth control implant, aromatics of longing (爆香) contemplates the feeling of loss and longing tied to a changing body. Through performative video, explorations in touch & intimacy, and diaristic, but voiceless subtitles, Wong ruminates on memories, gender dysphoria, and hormones--all while spatchcocking and roasting a chicken. A blend of observational shots, first-person GoPro footage, personal archival videos, aromatics of longing (爆香) illustrates methods of coping and reckoning with loss.

Sunny Moxin Chen

As a Moscow-born-Chinese who migrated to the U.S. since high school, I consciously and unconsciously use my art as a medium to link my multi-cultural awarenesses that I bring together to form my “selves”. My legal name “MòXīn” (in pinyin) stands for “a new star that was born in Moscow”, according to my parents. On the other hand, the literal meaning of “Mò” in Chinese means “not” and “Xīn”means something new. Since I was born , I have been constantly moving and living in numerous places that are called “home”. I search for the ideas of be-ing and be- longing by painting, collaging, and sculpting. Colors, forms, and materials symbolize personal histories and cultural nomadism. Specifically, my work explores individual consciousness, identity formation, and the existence or lack thereof of safe spaces to nurture identity as an individual and as a society.

My works investigate and recontextualizes my visions in both traditional and unconventional materials that are linked to the concept of physical and spiritual space, the self, and how one breaks from past selves—rebuilds new conceptions of self through the environments and experiences that surround them—and rebridges the boundaries

Rulin Ma

My artmaking is inspired by my experience as an immigrant to the U.S. While reinventing myself in a new country can be disorienting, it also provides a sense of empowerment, driving me to continually question and reconstruct my understanding of the world. Throughout my painting process, I continuously overlay, connect, and break shapes, patterns, lines, and collages, allowing vivid colors, textures, and edges to interact. Abstract expression is fused with partial figurative elements in my work. In doing so, I reorganize my social observations and compress multiple psychological and physical statuses onto my canvas, achieving a delicate balance within contradictions and chaos. My artmaking reflects my journey of navigating dual languages, cultures, and reconstructing myself—revealing fluidity, ambiguity, and randomness in identity and perception.

Nanxi Jin

Ceramic is a permanent medium and I’m a reluctant visitor. As a Chinese artist living in the United States for the past decade, I have grappled with the tension between my early years in China, where I immersed myself in art centered around harmony, nature, and composition, and my art education in the US, which encouraged me to learn the rules in order to break them. This juxtaposition has greatly influenced my artistic journey, as I now combine my appreciation for harmony with the vibrant colors, conceptual leanings, and unrestricted expression of Eastern gestures inspired by Western landscapes I have discovered in Western aesthetics.

Raised in a traditional ceramic city where perfection was the ultimate standard, I initially focused on mastering traditional techniques. However, clay, being a paradoxical material—both fragile and sturdy—has led me to reconsider its possibilities and explore its unique qualities. I now emulate the impressionistic gestures found in traditional pottery by intimately engaging with the clay, using touch and pinching techniques. Through gentle taps on the soft clay, I create imprinted surfaces that visually and materially record the passage of time. This process establishes an emotional bond with the material and allows the clay itself to guide my artistic expression. I have found liberation in my creative process by embracing imperfections and welcoming mistakes and chaos.

Jia Jia

As a foreigner living abroad, my work is deeply rooted in the exploration of identity, adaptation, and the subtle resistance against the pressures of capitalism and political environment. I seek to understand my place in the world as an individual, and as a "product" that challenges the conventional notions of efficiency and productivity. Through my artistic practice, I strive to navigate the complexities of cultural digestion and the power dynamics that pervade our everyday lives.

My art is an expression of my experiences navigating the ever-changing landscape of contemporary society, which is increasingly marked by globalization, migration, and cultural exchange. I confront my own sense of self and belonging, as well as the expectations placed upon me as an "inefficient" and "non-productive" member of society. In doing so, I find solace in embracing the imperfections, contradictions, and nuances that make us human.

In the process of cultural digestion, I acknowledge the power and violence that exists beneath the surface of everyday interactions. By highlighting the subtle ways in which we resist these forces, I aim to empower others to question and challenge the status quo. My work celebrates the resilience of individuals and communities as they navigate the complexities of their own identities and the world around them.

Through various mediums, I create artworks that invite viewers to engage with the themes of adaptation, inefficiency, and subtle resistance. I employ unconventional materials and processes, encouraging viewers to confront their own preconceptions and engage in a dialogue about the role of the individual within the broader context of globalization.

Ultimately, my art seeks to inspire reflection on the interconnected nature of our lives and the importance of embracing our own inefficiencies and imperfections in the face of an increasingly homogenized world. By challenging traditional notions of productivity and efficiency, I hope to spark a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and the potential for growth and transformation that lies within each of us.