The recent solo exhibition After Waking from a Dream by Qixin Chen (also known as Hazel Chen) at A Space Gallery in Brooklyn has been met with resounding success, drawing widespread attention from art critics, curators, and audiences alike. Through her exploration of psychological landscapes and innovative use of materials, Qixin Chen has solidified her position as one of the most prominent installation artists in contemporary art today.
The Success and Innovation of the Exhibition
After Waking from a Dream featured two major installations, Sweet Dreams and Nightmare, which delved into the complex interplay between dreams, fantasy, and psychological reality. The opening reception was packed with prominent figures from the art world, and the exhibition quickly became a focal point for discussions on the intersection of art and psychology.
Sweet Dreams transformed the gallery entrance into an immersive, womb-like environment using cotton and precisely engineered wire frameworks. This translucent, cocoon-like passage symbolized the psychological compensations following maternal separation, inviting visitors to traverse the boundary between the unconscious and conscious states. Meanwhile, Nightmare explored collective trauma through an innovative combination of sugar, gelatin, and PEVA materials. This wall-mounted piece, featuring wound-like formations housing faceless gummy bear forms, showcased Qixin Chen’s groundbreaking approach to material manipulation and her deep engagement with Lacanian psychoanalysis.
Qixin Chen’s Artistic Journey
Qixin Chen’s artistic career is marked by a series of significant achievements and accolades that have established her as a leading figure in the contemporary art world. Her work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious galleries and institutions, including A Space Gallery in Brooklyn, Teravarna Art Gallery in Los Angeles, and Light Space & Time Art Gallery in Santa Fe. Her installations have been celebrated for their ability to merge conceptual depth with material innovation, earning her a reputation as a visionary in the field of installation art.
Her accolades include multiple Honorable Mention Awards from Teravarna Art Gallery, Special Recognition and 4th Place awards from Light Space & Time Art Gallery, and a Finalist Award from Upward Gallery. These honors reflect her ability to create works that resonate on both an emotional and intellectual level, bridging the gap between individual psychology and collective experience.
The Rise of a Leading Installation Artist
Qixin Chen’s work is distinguished by its profound engagement with psychological and social issues. Through mixed media and installation art, she explores the existential anxiety arising from transitional societies and cultures. Her reconstructions of existing objects express painful emotional experiences, revealing the constraints imposed by the objective world and prompting viewers to reconsider the possibilities of their own existence.
Her installations have been featured in a variety of group exhibitions, including Sprout through Concrete and Container at A Space Gallery, as well as the Spring Undergraduate Exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Her work has also been showcased in international exhibitions such as the 9th Abstract and 5th Color exhibitions at Teravarna Art Gallery, and the 13th Annual "Figurative" and 14th Annual "Abstract" exhibitions at Light Space & Time Art Gallery. These exhibitions have highlighted her ability to create immersive environments that challenge traditional notions of space and perception.
Recognition and Publications
Qixin Chen’s contributions to the art world have been widely recognized in prestigious art publications. Her work has been featured in Al-Tiba9 magazine, where she was interviewed about her mixed-media installations and their exploration of societal issues. This feature further cemented her status as an artist who not only creates visually stunning works but also engages deeply with theoretical and philosophical concepts.
Looking Ahead
Qixin Chen’s success lies not only in her artistic talent but also in her innovative use of materials and theoretical frameworks. Her work challenges the boundaries of traditional installation art, offering audiences new ways to perceive and contemplate the world. As she continues to rise on the international art stage, Qixin Chen is poised to become a leading figure in the field of installation art.
The triumph of After Waking from a Dream is a testament to Qixin Chen’s artistic achievements and a beacon for the future of contemporary installation art. We eagerly anticipate her future creations, which promise to further bridge the gap between art and psychology.
