HUAN CHEN ART
ARTIST STATEMANET
Interested in both figure and landscape I often combine them to investigate the intimate communication between human bodies and our surroundings. The multifaceted relationship can be either harmonious, mysterious, dangerous, or confrontational, but always powerful and transitory. It is my intention to engage the viewer to reflect on the complexity of nature as well as the consequences of our actions. Before my art career I was trained as a chemical engineer and had conducted environmental research through which I was exposed to the issues on the environment. With my portrayal of ordinary people in natural settings I wish to captivate the audience not only to feel the connections but also to reflect on the risks and dangers we could face if we do not act.
My production process involves both the planned and spontaneous. When I was young I studied calligraphy and Chinese ink painting through which I developed an admiration for abstraction and spontaneous energy. To incorporate these elements I start by pouring a large amount of thin oil paints on a flat canvas and then interpret the shapes for my composition. There is a great deal of dialogue between me and the canvas which involves thin and thick paints, variation of brushworks, smudging, scratching, and trial and error. This process adds energy, spontaneity, expressiveness, and a sense of adventure that are important in capturing the vulnerability, complexity, and the transitory aspect of my works.
EDUCATION
McGill University, Bachelor and Master of Chemical Engineering, 1998
University of Toronto Mississauga, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Joint Program), Honors Bachelor of Arts, 2018 - present
EXHIBITIONS
2023
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“Chromophilia”, Art and Art History Group Show, Erindale Theatre, Mississauga
2022
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ArtWorks - Arts on the Credit Annual Juried Show, Port Credit, Mississauga
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“The Middle Child”, Art and Art History Painting 3 Group Exhibition, Women’s Art Association of Canada, Toronto
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Second Annual Juried Show of Visual Arts, Art Gallery of Mississauga
2021
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“The Qi of Water”, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Jan. 12 - Mar. 16, 2021
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Arts Drive, Arts on the Credit, Mississauga
2020
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Member’s Show, Joshua Creek Heritage Centre, Oakville
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Arts Drive, Arts on the Credit, Mississauga
2019
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Artists of Halton & Peel Juried Exhibition 2019, Joshua Creek Heritage Centre, Oakville
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Cabbagetown Arts and Craft Show, Toronto
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Artisans in the Garden, Mississauga
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Arts on the Credit Annual Fine Art Show, Port Credit, Mississauga
2018
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Visual Arts Mississauga Annual Members Show, Mississauga
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Arts on the Credit Annual Fine Art Show, Port Credit, Mississauga
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Society of Canadian Artists 50th International Open Juried Show, Toronto
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Art in the Park, Visual ArtsMississauga
2017
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Arts on the Credit Annual Fine Art Show, Port Credit, Mississauga
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Society of Canadian Artists 49th International Open Juried Show, Toronto
2016
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Colour and Form Society Biennial Juried Show, Toronto
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ArtWorks Oakville 17th Annual Juried Art Show, Oakville
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Mississauga Art Society Fine Art Show, Visual Arts Mississauga
2015
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ArtWorks Oakville 16th Annual Juried Art Show, Oakville
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Mississauga Art Society Fine Art Show, Visual Arts Mississauga
2014
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Mississauga Art Society Fine Art Show, Visual Arts Mississauga
2012
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Art in the Park, Visual ArtsMississauga
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Beaux-Arts Brampton Open Juried Show, Brampton
2007
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Symposium de Sainte-Rose Juried Show, Laval, Quebec
2006
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La Semaine des Arts Visuels de Mont-Tremblant, 16th edition Juried Show, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
2005
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Comme Unique Art, 14th Anniversaire, Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Exposition 2005
INTERVIEWS
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OMNI TV coverage on “The Qi of Water”, Feb. - Mar. 2021
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Sauga 960 Radio interview, Dec. 2018
AWARDS
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Margaret Laidlaw Memorial Scholarship in Art and Art History, 2023
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The Women’s Art Association of Canada Rheta D. Fines Scholarship, 2023
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Akimbo “Let’s Talk About Me for a Minute” Award, 2023
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Faculty Award for Excellence in Painting 4, 2023
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Kama Paints Award for Excellence in Painting, Art and Art History Program: 2022
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Second Annual Juried Show of Visual Arts, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Spyderworks Resilience Award, 2021
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Artists of Halton & Peel Juried Exhibition, Jurors Award 1st Place, 2019
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Visual Arts Mississauga Annual Members Show, 2nd Place, 2018
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Master’s of Chemical Engineering, Dean’s Honour List, NSERC Scholarship
MEMBERSHIP AND GROUPS
Arts on the Credit
Visual Arts Mississauga
Figurative Expressions
Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre