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.
