New York, NY – SPACE776 is pleased to present The Feeling is Mutual, a solo exhibition by Emily Chen, on view from February 7 – 19, 2025. Curated by Gin Lin, a specialist in Contemporary Asian and Asian Diaspora Art, the exhibition showcases the latest of Chen’s paintings and sculptures that explore the dynamic contrast between the digital and natural world, revealing a surprisingly harmonious dialogue. 

 

With a background in both painting and jewelry & metalsmithing, Chen seamlessly blends two- and three-dimensional approaches. Her practice navigates the intersection of precise craftsmanship and the fluidity of painting, presenting wooden wall sculptures that function as paintings, paired with flatware-inspired metal objects. These works evoke the liminal spaces where organic and digital elements converge, challenging perceptions of reality and inviting contemplation on our evolving relationship with materiality. By merging these realms, Chen blurs the boundaries between utility, art, and artifact, encouraging viewers to rethink their engagement with everyday forms.

 

Complementing the paintings, Chen’s sculptural metal objects serve as tangible extensions of her two-dimensional works. Inspired by flatware and organic shapes, these sculptures embody a delicate balance of organic fluidity and digital precision. Together, the paintings and sculptures create a visceral exploration of balance and tension, ultimately reaching harmony between the two. 

 

The Feeling is Mutual showcases Chen's ability to seamlessly integrate conceptual and tactile dimensions into a unified artistic narrative. Through the thoughtful pairing of paintings and objects, the exhibition highlights how contrasting elements can not only coexist but also thrive in harmony, driven by the boundless creativity of human imagination.

 

Emily Chen is a multidisciplinary artist and designer who bridges the realms of painting and jewelry through her innovative practice. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a double major in Painting and Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Emily’s work explores the interplay between two-dimensional and three-dimensional creative processes. Her artistry reflects a balance of cerebral and tactile influences, fostering a dynamic dialogue between mediums. Emily’s work has been showcased at notable events and exhibitions such as Helsinki Fashion Week, Queens Botanical Garden, and Brooklyn Metal Works during New York Design Week.

Gin Lin is a researcher and curator specializing in Contemporary Asian and Asian Diaspora art, with extensive experience in museums, foundations, and galleries across Shanghai, Taipei, and New York. Combining her background in finance with a master’s in Contemporary Art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, she integrates financial acumen with a passion for the art world. Currently a researcher in the Post-War & Contemporary department at Christie’s, Gin also actively pursues her curatorial practice as an independent curator. Her notable projects include TANK Art Festival (Shanghai, 2019), Art Taipei (Taipei, 2020), Fubon 60: The Value of Time (Taipei, 2021), Veiled Constructions (Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York, 2023), and 18 (the BLANC, New York, 2023).

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(The exhibition preparation was assisted by William Håkan.)