TWArtists Member highlight: Stella Chang, Conceptual Artist & Fashion Designer, since Sep. 2012

little monster series

Artist Statement:

I draw because of the loneliness caused by my uncertainty, and I paint because I like to capture the essence of all those I’ve seen and hold dear but I don’t have the luxury to be with for more than a moment. I create because I’m obsessed with people’s perceptions of things –everything really- and I’m starting with “me.”

In other words, for a person who struggles to define herself, writing an artist statement is no easy task. In all honesty, all my work –from my childhood doodles up to now- reflect my continual journey to search for who I am. Anything else I could write would be a lie, at least some things I am certain of.

Filtered Illustration: Sketch of a woman who's falling asleep, Before & After
Black ink on paper

Artist Bio:

Born in San Jose, CA, raised in Taiwan, Canada, and Detroit, Stella grew up speaking two languages and escaping into the colorfulness of life beyond the status quo of those around her. Wanting to become a Manga comic book artist, while her mother wished for her to be a concert pianist, Stella wound up studying art at New York University. While at NYU, her influences include reknown video art pioneer Peter Campus and contemporary installation artist Kathe Burhardt.

At 19 at the invitation of author Reagan Liu, she illustrated her firs Children’s book “100 Wishes” for Taiwan's Children's Cancer foundation. Same year, her illustrations caught the attention of a Japanese fashion buyer, who then introduced her to the industry of luxury handbags and accessories. From 2004 and onwards, Stella had the fortune to work for brand names such as Calvin Klein, United Bamboo, Malini Murjani of Isabella Fiori, WIT of Japan, and Wakkou KK of Japan.

Stella is currently a handbag designer for LeSportsac.

Untitled fashion illustration published Brand Magazine, Taiwan 2008
In ink pen, colored pencils and industrial markers.

Achievements:

1. Soul Stealer, concept artist for short film by director Shawn Spitler, 2012

2. Cheers, Jordan’s Winery 40th Anniversary 4 on 4 Art Competition, Second Place, 2012.

2. Jump, Solo Video Installation, Rosenberg Gallery, NY 2006.

3. 100 Wishes, Children’s Illustrated Story, published by Children’s Cancer Foundation, Taiwan, 2004. 

http://www.ramblingmasterpiece.blogspot.com/

TWArtists Member highlight: Chia Ying Kao, dancer: memeber since April 2012

 Chia Ying Kao is an award-winning independent dance artist based in New York City since 2004. She recently received her MFA degree in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College where she earned the Bessie Schonberg Award in 2012
Her work has been presented at the Center for Performance Research, Chen Dance Center, Queens Public Library Auditorium, Northport Library Auditorium, Tribeca Film Festival, Manhattan's Union Square for a dance installation, Roulette NYC, the Taipei Cultural Arts Center and Hualien Cultural Arts in Taiwan.
Chia Ying has collaborated with important choreographers, dancers, and institutions such as Sara Rudner, Yvonne Rainer, Paz Tanjuaquio, Bill T. Jones, Hou Ying, Panoramasian Dance Project, Chinese Theatre Works, Chinese–American Arts & Culture Association, New York Chinese Cultural Center, and Earl Mosley Diversity of Dance, among others.
Chia Ying has received several awards and honors including the Best Performance Prize, New Tang Dynasty Television Chinese New Year Global Gala in 2006 and the Most Outstanding Asian Artist Award 2008 in Recognition for Excellence in Dance, given by the Chinese-American Arts Council.
Chia Ying is the recipient of the 2012-2013 TOPAZ ARTS Choreography Residency Program and was invited to take part in the 2012 ICR at the American Dance Festival-Henan. In April 2013, Chia Ying premiered a new work “The Strange Wait” originally commissioned by Ear to the Ground program of NY’s Chen Dance Center. In December 2013, Chia Ying will present her new piece at Triskelion Arts.

TWArtists Member highlight: Benrei Huang, painter: memeber since May 2012

Artist bio & statement:

I am a New York based painter, writer, and book illustrator. I studied fine art at National Taiwan Normal University in Taiwan and received my MFA in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts. From 1988 to 2008 I worked primarily as a children's book illustrator. In 2008, I began to pursue my love of painting again, developing a series of paintings based on a recurring character from my sketches.

Solo Exhibition 2012 Eslite Gallery, Taipei Taiwan, opening date 5/12 2010 Eslite Gallery, Taipei Taiwan 2009 Eslite Gallery, Taipei Taiwan 2009 Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, New York Group Exhibition 2010 Da Gallery, New York

Website	http://benreihuang.com/
Facebook	http://facebook.com/benreihuang