About Michael Chen
Born in 1952 in Taiwan, Michael Chen graduated with a B.A. in Arts (with Honors) from the Eastern Illinois University in U.S.A. in 1974. He later attained an M.A. in Public Visual Communications (Photography) from the Southern Illinois University, U.S.A. in 1977. Following his academic achievements, Chen held numerous art related positions, such as the Galleries Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Art Advisor to the Yuyu Yang Museum of Art, Taipei, and Director of Art, Kuo Mu Sheng Foundation of Art Gallery, Taipei, as well as being an independent art consultant. He was also a radio program host for ‘Jazz Wind’, Taipei Philharmonic Radio. Chen is currently the director of Modern Art at Jeff Hsu’s Art, Taipei.
Artistic Practice and Concept
Michael Chen’s black and white photographs of religious structures are profoundly moving for their aesthetic as well as spiritual value. For over twenty years, Chen has recorded these places of devotion through the lens of his camera, in his attempt to capture what he terms an “invisible force which calls out to the faithful”.
His attraction to religious buildings stems from the way they reflect man’s quest for peace of mind and a purpose for being. In our post-September 11th world, religious doctrines and their resultant conflicts have suddenly regained attention on the international stage, for mostly negative reasons. In response to this, Chen increased his photographic output, not only to document religious architecture but also to show the ineffable force behind the semblance of world religions, which promoted strength, tranquility, resilience, and above all, the compassion and faith of those who built these monuments but whom are now long gone.
In his far flung travels, Chen has photographed both ancient and modern religious sites as varied as the Kalyan Mosque in Uzbekistan, Masjid-i Shah in Iran, Drepung Monastery in Tibet, Luxor Temple in Egypt, the Longmen Grottoes in China and the Ellora Caves in India. Chen’s photographs capture the deep serenity and contemplative nature of places that have been consecrated through years of devoted worship. His photographs focus not only on the pervading atmosphere, but also on specific objects and motifs which endure within a viewer’s memory. Chen has a keen eye for unusual details and perspectives that register with great accuracy on black and white film, as well as a strong appreciation for the use of light. All this contributes to create a captivating experience for his viewers.
Exhibitions and International Presence
Michael Chen holds an impressive record of solo, duo and group exhibitions for his photographic art, most significantly solo exhibitions at the National Central University Art Center, Taiwan, the Shanghai Art Museum, China, the Hong Kong Arts Centre, and other art galleries around Taiwan. He was awarded the Paul Sergent Award of Art (Eastern Illinois University) and the Purchase Prize (Illinois Arts Council), and visiting grants to the UK and West Germany. He has also acted as a judge for numerous photography and art competitions. His work has been collected by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, The Polaroid Corporation, Illinois Arts Council and numerous private collections.
Images of artworks
