Brian Chen

Artist Statement

My academic career educated me about systems of tissues, organs, and their relationships to help organisms function. I now use shapes influenced by anatomy and science-fiction/fantasy where two vessels are related by form, implied function, and aesthetics. I make the parts of one functioning whole where individual units rely on one another to perform a greater function. Each individual part carries its own weight in design and aesthetic. Crisp lines separate planes designated for different interactions. Soft rounded curves hint at the range of motion and stability of a joint. Sinew gives volume and mass to muscle bodies that taper and swell while indicating the direction it pulls. Evolution has given us beautiful anatomical shapes and relationships, each designed for a specific function, to help organisms survive different selective pressures. I use these shapes as my building blocks and guidelines.