ARTIST STATEMENT
Asian women in particular are socialized to meticulously manage our expressions to be approachable, craft our appearances to be desirable, dampen our emotions to be palatable. This self-portrait explores extreme facial reactions to feel the physicality of taking up space in an intentionally grotesque way. Through growth into my queer identity, I’m slowly learning to listen to my body and move through the world following my intuition, instead of the frameworks I’ve constructed for myself. Do you see me now?
ABOUT THE ARTIST
San Chen is a designer and artist based in Chicago and earned a BS and MS from Northwestern University. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, they currently work as a brand strategist to design inclusive and accessible spaces. Through curating local art in their role, they reconnected with their art practice and now create graphic prints, illustrations, and fine art.
© San Chen