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Susan Chen
Chen in 2021
Born1992
Hong Kong
Alma materBrown University (B.A.)
Columbia University (M.F.A.)
Known forPainting
Websitewww.susanmbchen.com

Susan Chen (born 1992) is an artist and painter in New York City.[1][2][3] Her portrait paintings survey communities, exploring topics on identity, the psychology of race, and social change.[4][5]

Chen received her M.F.A. from Columbia University and her B.A. from Brown University.[6][7]

Work

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Susan Chen's early work focused on highlighting stories within the Asian diaspora and Asian American community. In 2020, Chen presented her inaugural solo exhibition at Meredith Rosen Gallery post-graduate school, receiving a review from art critic John Yau titled "A Powerful Debut."[8] The exhibition featured thirteen paintings depicting Asian Americans from Chen's neighborhood and online connections, including portraits of family and friends, self-portraits, and a group of Asian American students on Columbia University's campus.[9][10][11][12] The paintings explored topics related to the Asian American diaspora, including stereotypes, the model minority myth, racial melancholia, and the complexities of assimilation.[13]

Her exhibition 'I Am Not A Virus' at Night Gallery in 2021 featured a series of seventeen collaborative Zoom portraits reflecting on the anti-Asian hate crimes that occurred across America during the pandemic.[14][15]

Susan Chen's artwork, titled 'I Am Not the Kung Flu,' was featured on the cover of New York Magazine from September 26–October 9, 2022 in the issue, "At Home in Asian America: Who Are We Becoming?".[16] The piece, originally part of Chen's 2021 exhibition 'I Am Not a Virus,' is one of several paintings created by Chen over Zoom during the pandemic. The self-portrait depicts the artist wearing a mask, a post-vaccine Band-Aid, Zoom emoticons, and items associated with self-defense, including pepper sprays, a taser, pepper gel gun, a whistle, and a Feng Shui Bagua mirror.[16]

In 2022, Chen collaborated with New York City Chinatown community groups, including Chinatown Block Watch[17][18] and a group from Chinatown's non-profit organization Apex for Youth to document them into oil painting group portraits. The painting Chinatown Block Watch (2022) was displayed at Jeffrey Deitch gallery as part of the exhibition 'Wonder Women,' curated by Kathy Huang.[19] The latter painting was exhibited at The Aldrich Museum in the feminist exhibition, "52 Artists: A Feminist Milestone," curated by Amy Smith-Stewart.[20][21][22][23]

In 2023, Chen presented a series of Purell bottle still lifes at Rachel Uffner Gallery.[24][25] The show featured eleven works, including two Purell Clocks in soft pastels and oil paintings and charcoal drawings of Purell bottles. In John Yau's exhibition review titled, "The Many Lives of a Purell Bottle," comparisons were drawn between her drawings and the style of Philip Guston.[26] During the exhibition, a triptych of her paintings were stolen from the gallery in an art heist.[27]

Susan Chen's 2024 solo exhibition "Plan B" at Rachel Uffner Gallery showcased the artist's debut ceramics alongside six large-scale group portraits. The paintings were created through live portrait-painting sessions with 39 individuals, reflecting Chen's commitment to community engagement. The works addressed various topics from personal to political, including women's reproductive rights and activism. Chen's playful yet thought-provoking social commentary received positive reviews.  In a Whitewall Magazine review, art critic Sarah Bochicchio highlighted the effectiveness of Chen's ceramic installations, including oversized Purell bottles, Plan B and Tampax boxes, in conveying the urgency of everyday items. Bochicchio also highlighted the poignant depiction of the aftermath of Roe v. Wade's overturning in Chen's paintings, emphasizing the importance of support networks and shared experiences among women. The exhibition was profiled in Artnet's "Up Next" column by Katie White and listed among the "8 Shows by Women Artists to Watch This Month" in March 2024 by Cultured Magazine.[28][29][30]

Influences

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In Chen's painting, Streetcars of Desires (2020), she references some of her early influences by incorporating the surnames of artists into mini boxcars. These artists include her professors Richard Hull, Gregory Amenoff, Susanna Coffey, Aliza Nisenbaum, and painters well known in art history like Hockney, Matisse, Bonnard, Burchfield, Soutine, and Le Pho.[8]  Chen appreciates the still lifes and flower paintings of Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin and Lê Phổ.[4] She briefly worked as Shara Hughes's artist assistant in 2016.[31]

Recognition

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The artist has received various recognitions for her work, including being listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 2022 Art & Style honoree,[32] inclusion in the Artsy Vanguard 2022 list,[33] an Artist-in-Residence at Silver Art Projects at the World Trade Center (2021–2022),[34][35] and receiving the Fall 2020 Hopper Prize, which was juried by Christine Koppes and Jade Powers.[36][18]

Collectors & Market

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Susan Chen's early collectors include museum board members Pamela and David Hornik,[37] Carla Shen,[38] Joel Lubin,[39] and Italian collectors behind The Underdog Collection.[40] In the artist's auction debut at Phillips New Now in New York on March 8, 2023[41] the artwork sold for $35,560, exceeding its estimate.[42][43] Her debut solo exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles were sold out.[4]

Solo exhibitions

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  • 2024: Plan B at Rachel Uffner Gallery [30][28]
  • 2023: Purell Night & Day at Rachel Uffner Gallery[44][45][46]
  • 2021: I Am Not A Virus at Night Gallery[47]
  • 2020: On Longing at Meredith Rosen Gallery[48]

References

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  1. ^ Barragán, Carlos (August 11, 2023). "Visual Artist Alumna Susan Chen '22 Unveils Hand Sanitizer's Comedy and Tragedy in New Exhibition | School of the Arts". arts.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  2. ^ Mantha, Priyanka (2022-09-26). "On the Cover of New York Magazine: The New Asian America". New York Press Room. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  3. ^ Wong, Harley (2021-05-20). "16 Rising Artists of the Asian Diaspora in the United States". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  4. ^ a b c Wong, Mimi (2022-11-15). "How Susan Chen Went from Landscape Painter to Empathetic Portraitist". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  5. ^ Wong, Harley (2020-09-23). "Susan Chen's Portraits of Asian Americans Reckon with a History of Exclusion". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  6. ^ Barragán, Carlos (August 11, 2023). "Visual Artist Alumna Susan Chen '22 Unveils Hand Sanitizer's Comedy and Tragedy in New Exhibition | School of the Arts". arts.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  7. ^ Sheets, Hilarie M. (2020-05-19). "Newly Minted Artists, Facing a Precarious Future, Take Action". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  8. ^ a b Yau, John (2020-08-22). "A Powerful Debut". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  9. ^ Laster, Paul (2020-09-25). "Reality Rendered Raw: 6 New York Solo Shows | Art & Object". www.artandobject.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  10. ^ Goldstein, Caroline (2020-08-21). "Susan Chen's Richly Layered Portraits of Asian Americans Make Their New York Gallery Debut—See Images Here". Artnet News. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  11. ^ Goodman, Jonathan (2020-09-26). "Susan Chen: On Longing at Meredith Rosen Gallery through September 26, 2020". TUSSLE. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  12. ^ Deng, Audrey (August 17, 2020). "Recent Alumna Susan MB Chen '20 in First Solo Exhibition at Meredith Rosen Gallery | School of the Arts". arts.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  13. ^ Ong, Jyni (2020-08-18). "What does it mean to be an Asian American today? Painter Susan Chen explores the multi-dimensional identity". itsnicethat.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  14. ^ Kand, Zara (2021-10-04). "Susan Chen: 'I Am Not A Virus'". Art Now LA. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  15. ^ Fisher, Catherine (2021-10-06). "Alumna Susan Chen '20 in Solo Show at Night Gallery | School of the Arts". arts.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  16. ^ a b Mantha, Priyanka (2022-09-26). "On the Cover of New York Magazine: The New Asian America". New York Press Room. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  17. ^ Liu, Jasmine (2022-06-23). "Asian Women and Nonbinary Artists Paint Their Major Feelings". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  18. ^ a b Choo, Diane (2022-09-08). "Artist Profile: New York City Painter Susan Chen Shares Faces of Asian-American Life". Asians Out Loud. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  19. ^ Liu, Jasmine (2022-06-23). "Asian Women and Nonbinary Artists Paint Their Major Feelings". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  20. ^ Cascone, Sarah (2021-10-13). "The Aldrich Museum Is Updating a Landmark Feminist Art Show From 1971 With a New Generation of Women Artists". Artnet News. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  21. ^ Binlot, Ann (2022-06-07). "Revisiting a Groundbreaking Show for Feminist Art". The Cut. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  22. ^ Keenan, Annabel (2022-06-06). "A Watershed Feminist Exhibition Is Reimagined at The Aldrich". culturedmag.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  23. ^ Sheets, Hilarie M. (2022-04-27). "Revisiting a Groundbreaking Show of Feminist Art". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  24. ^ Keenan, Annabel (2023-08-09). "OUTSIDE LA: Susan Chen". Artillery Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  25. ^ Marple, Mieke (2023). "Susan Chen: Purell Night and Day". Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  26. ^ Yau, John (2023-08-07). "The Many Lives of a Purell Bottle". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  27. ^ Armstrong, Annie (2023-08-17). "A Star JTT Artist Finds a New Home, Rachel Uffner Gallery Gets Heisted on the Lower East Side, and More Juicy Art World Gossip". Artnet News. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  28. ^ a b Bochicchio, Sarah (2024-04-11). "Susan Chen, When Plan B is Plan A". Whitewall. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  29. ^ Article, Katie White ShareShare This (2024-03-28). "Artist Susan Chen Paints Expressive Portraits of Communities of Women". Artnet News. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  30. ^ a b Evan, Pricco. "Juxtapoz Magazine - Susan Chen: Plan B @ Rachel Uffner Gallery, NYC". www.juxtapoz.com. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  31. ^ Wong, Harley (2020-09-23). "Susan Chen's Portraits of Asian Americans Reckon with a History of Exclusion". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  32. ^ Sternlicht, Alexandra (2021-10-31). "Susan Chen, 29, Artist - 2021-12-01 - Forbes 30 Under 30 2022 - Art & Style". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  33. ^ Westall, Mark (2022-11-16). "Artsy has revealed its 2022 list of the next big names in art". FAD Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  34. ^ Brandon, Elissaveta M. (2022-06-29). "'You're on top of the world': Inside 4 artists' studios on the 28th floor of the World Trade Center".
  35. ^ Duncan, Michelle. "Prime Space, Visibility, and Community". Metropolis. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  36. ^ "Fall 2020 Grant Winners & Finalists". The Hopper Prize. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  37. ^ Carter, Lee (2023-08-14). "What I Buy and Why: Bay Area Fixtures Pamela and David Hornik on Supporting Contemporary Art—With the Help of Their Dogs". Artnet News. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  38. ^ Lesser, Casey (2021-03-22). "Inside My Collection: Carla Shen". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  39. ^ Harrelson, Sarah (2021-12-01). "CAA's Joel Lubin's Hollywood Home Is an Emerging Artworks Jewel Box". www.culturedmag.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  40. ^ Dozier, Ayanna (2023-03-29). "Inside Underdog Collection's Collaborative Approach to Collecting Emerging Art". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  41. ^ Westall, Mark (2023-02-26). "Phillips' New Now in New York - now". FAD Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  42. ^ Kakar, Arun (2023-03-31). "Standout Sales from the March 2023 Auctions". Artsy. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  43. ^ Cascone, Sarah (2023-03-09). "Art Industry News: Sotheby's and Dmitry Rybolovlev Will Come to the Table on Art Fraud Case + Other Stories". Artnet News. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  44. ^ Di Liscia, Valentina; Bishara, Hakim; Vartanian, Hrag (2023-07-11). "15 Art Shows to See in New York This July". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  45. ^ Marple, Mieke (August 2023). "Susan Chen: Purell Night and Day". Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  46. ^ Yau, John (2023-08-07). "The Many Lives of a Purell Bottle". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  47. ^ Fisher, Catherine (2021-10-06). "Alumna Susan Chen '20 in Solo Show at Night Gallery | School of the Arts". arts.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  48. ^ Goldstein, Caroline (2020-08-21). "Susan Chen's Richly Layered Portraits of Asian Americans Make Their New York Gallery Debut—See Images Here". Artnet News. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
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