Monday, April 23, 2012

Reclaimed Art, my exhibit at the Flood Gallery Fine Art Center May 3-28, 2012



Flood Gallery Fine Art Center’s newest exhibit, Reclaimed Art, presenting the work of local mixed media artist, Katie Chen, will be on view through May.  The opening reception will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 6 pm-9 pm. True to the title of the show “Reclaimed Art,” Chen tries to limit her medium to only reclaimed materials—obtaining most of her materials from the local Habitat for Humanity Restore, the curbside, or through donation.  Instead of using toxic paints, solvents, and new canvas materials, the tiny pieces of color and texture she cuts from the pages of these donated magazines become her color palate, and the reclaimed wood board becomes her canvas.  Amazingly, the result ends up looking very similar to an abstract oil painting.  “I’ve had many people ask me what kind of paint I use,” Chen laughs.  “They’re surprised when I tell them that they’re looking at tiny pieces of magazines.”  

A woman with many interests and talents, Chen is also a classically trained singer, and holds a degree in Journalism from Northern Illinois University.  Ultimately, it was while she learned how to design and write for magazines, that she also saw the potential for their pages to be a “green” art medium with the use of scissors.

If you want to go:  Reclaimed Art, works by Katie Chen at the Flood Gallery Fine Art Center, May 3-28, 2012.  Art opening reception on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 6 pm-9 pm.  Flood Gallery Fine Art Center located in the Phil Mechanic Studios Building at 109 Roberts Street, Asheville.  (828) 254-2166.  For additional information please visit www.floodgallery.org.

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