How far I would have to go to become myself - Skyler Chen at MASSIMO DE CARLO, London
27.06.2024 - 23.08.2024
Chen's exhibition, How Far I Would Have to Go to Become Myself, captures the deeply personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Each piece represents a stage in his life, exploring identity through art. The title, without a question mark, suggests that the answer is found within the journey itself.
Born in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, in 1982, Chen grew up under dictatorship, navigating undiagnosed dyslexia and his queer identity. Moving to the U.S. in the early 2000s, he wrestled with cultural expectations and self-acceptance. His works—paintings, watercolors, woodcuts—highlight complex family dynamics, especially his relationship with his parents, and his negotiation of traditional Asian values alongside queer identity.
In Mothers and Sons, Chen reflects on the tension between family expectations and queer identity, drawing from his relationship with his mother. A Confucian book in hand, she walks past a gay sauna, embodying the struggle between tradition and acceptance. Similarly, his diptych To Leave It Behind and Can I Be Close to U explore the challenges of leaving home and navigating his identity abroad, portraying themes of immigration and cultural clash, set against the backdrop of a Chinese restaurant.
In Finding Myself, Chen brings together his Eastern roots and Western influences. Reinterpreting The Birth of Venus, he blends Daoist art with the Queer Deity Tu'er Shen, symbolizing the breaking of societal barriers.
Chen’s work is intimate yet universal, offering a vulnerable look into the intersection of family, culture, and the pursuit of authenticity. His art serves as both personal catharsis and an invitation for viewers to contemplate their own path to self-realization.
Bloom, 2023 Skyler Chen
Family Dynamic, 2024 Skyler Chen
Can I Be Close to U, 2024 Skyler Chen
Exhibition view How far I would have to go to become myself , Massimo De Carlo Gallery, London. Image: Finding Myself, 2024 Skyler Chen. Photo: Razvan Chiorean Gallery
Mother and Sons, 2024 Skyler Chen
Different Kind of Ring, 2024 Skyler Chen
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About the Author
Razvan Chiorean is the published author of Art Buzz News section, online content curator and contemporary art documentarist, committed to advancing diversity and accessibility in the art community. With a keen focus on innovation and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, Razvan strives to unite cultures, serving as a bridge that seamlessly integrates art and innovation, all within the universal language of creativity.
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