My art is rooted in the concept of unexplored terrains and new worlds. They can be symbols of the unknown but also of possibility and new beginnings. I see these symbols in the night sky at the desert, in the horizon line at the ocean, and in the vastness of the mountains. I see these signs in my family history, as my parents crossed oceans of uncertainty to be where they are today, and also in my own personal narrative.
As for my process, I am drawn to paper as it is a common material that is also versatile and moldable. I work with hand-cut paper to create dimensional collages that explore the threshold between painting and sculpture. I paint, cut, and arrange various shapes and colors as if I am piecing together a puzzle; each shape, line, and color is a hint, trace, and impression of nature and memory.
- Alexandra Chiou
