ARTIST STATEMENT
As a painter and printmaker, I am fond of the unique quality of printmaking language presents and love to combine it with other media as I work for my abstract paintings.
In Snow Series, I used Chinese ink to transfer the textured surface of a table or a sheet of wrinkled plastic to the paper to get the first layer of the close-up impression of the icy snow. Ink wash and salt are added as the second or final layer to create the fluid, melted, and exquisite texture afterward. Sometimes, the flip-over printing process is also played to create a surprising look. This alternative painting and printing process enables me to work back and forth until meeting my satisfaction.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born and raised in northern China, Chunbo (Bo) is a printmaker and painter currently living in Chicago. Her current art practice involves with painting and installation uses food to reflect her interests in the difference and connection between Chinese and American cultures.
Bo received her BFA in Printmaking from Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing (1994) and MFA from Emest G. Welch School of Art & Design at Georgia State University in 2004. She has exhibited her works nationally and internationally at numerous venues including China National Museum of Art, Beijing, China; The 9th Shanghai Art Biennial, Shanghai, China; Hyde Park Art Center, Evanston Art Center, The Art Center Highland Park, Bridgeport Art Center and Women Made Gallery, Chicago, IL; Lightwell Gallery at University of Oklahoma, School of Art & Art History, Norman, OK; University Library Gallery at California State University, Sacramento, CA; and Whitespace Gallery, Atlanta and Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, GA. Her works are included in the public collections of Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon (Portland), College of Art & Sciences at Clayton State University (Atlanta), the Ministry of Culture of China (Beijing) and Central Academy of Fine Arts (Beijing). Bo is the awardee of 2019 SPARK grants given by Chicago Artists Coalition. She attended residences at Vermont Studio Center, Center Program at Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, WA, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center and Poligrafa Printmaking Workshop, Barcelona, Spain.
© Chunbo Zhang