“In my journey, I’ve discovered that glitches, often seen as errors, can be transformed into art, opening up a new realm of possibilities,” states Shuwan Chen, her words riddled with contemplation and conviction. This statement from the visual artist and :iidrr Gallery co-founder encapsulates a unique artistic vision, one that redefines the interface between digital anomalies, technology, and visual aesthetics.
Back to Where It All Started
Chen’s artistic journey is as diverse as her educational and cultural experiences, each layer adding depth and perspective to her unique approach to visual art. She holds a degree in Sociology with a minor in Japanese from The Australian National University, where she gained a broad understanding of cultural dynamics. Her artistic exploration further expanded at the London College of Communication through studies in Photography, Public Relations, and Advertising. This blend of academic rigor and creative pursuit has equipped Chen with a distinctive ability to weave cultural narratives into her visual art, making her work both visually striking and culturally enriched.
During her Master of Fine Arts at the School of Visual Arts, Chen’s distinctive style came into sharp focus. “My educational background informs my artistic practice, enabling me to bring a multidisciplinary perspective to my art,” the 2019 Prisma Art Prize Finalist reflects.
With her multifaceted background, Chen’s synthesis of social science and visual art has become a cornerstone of her work, allowing her to navigate and portray complex socio-cultural themes with both subtlety and power. For Chen, it’s a dialogue with the viewer, inviting them to engage with each piece’s underlying narratives and cultural nuances.
A New Perspective on Digital Glitches
Shuwan’s methodology lies in how technology can intertwine with traditional art practices. This gave birth to her innovative art method: transforming what are typically considered errors or flaws into compelling visual narratives that challenge and redefine the boundaries of creative expression.
At the heart of Shuwan’s work is the innovative use of digital glitches, which she transforms from mere computational errors into a potent artistic medium. By employing modeling software and machine learning (ML), she reimagines these glitches as creative tools, thus blurring the lines between the digital and physical realms—this interplay between the unpredictability of glitches and the precision of technology results in unique and thought-provoking art.
Her exhibitions — “SITUASIAN,” “Island of Light,” and “Now + Here” — explore fragility and stability themes, combining machine precision with handmade authenticity, pushing traditional photography and sculpture boundaries, and integrating technology with art.
“This not only pushes the limits of traditional photography and sculpture but also contributes to new understandings of how technology can intertwine with traditional art practices,” she says. Her artistic creations, therefore, become a canvas where the past and the future, the digital and the tangible, merge to form something entirely new and captivating.
Establishing :iidrr Gallery: A Platform for Innovative Art
Chen’s journey in the contemporary visual arts transcends her artistic creations, extending into a broader mission of empowering and uplifting fellow artists – DJs, VJs, coders, and live performers. As the co-founder of :iidrr Gallery in New York, Chen has established a sanctuary for artists who daringly blend technology with traditional art practices. This hub, located in the heart of New York’s vibrant art scene, is a testament to her commitment to advancing digital art, not as an isolated endeavor but in tandem with empowering artists – a belief that art must go hand in hand with the empowerment of the artists who create it.
“In the context of :iidrr Gallery, our most sought-after service is providing a platform for avant-garde art that challenges the conventional boundaries between digital and physical art forms,” Chen states.
The :iidrr Gallery, co-founded in 2020, emerged as a novel response to the evolving dynamics of the art market. In a year when the high-end art market witnessed a notable decline, with a 25% drop in fine art auction sales in the U.S. compared to 2022, :iidrr Gallery carved out a unique niche. Focusing on new media art and cultural trends, the gallery has become a defining force in the contemporary art market.
“:iidrr Gallery was born during the economic recession, changing customer preferences, and lingering uncertainties. But it rose to be resilient and adaptable. We firmly believe that pushing the digital art’s future is intertwined with artists’ empowerment and how they create a fertile ground for innovation and collaboration in the art world, a vision that :iidrr Gallery perfectly stands for,” Chen shares.
The Future of Art in the Digital Age
The 2019 International Photography Awards Honorable Mention envisions a future filled with limitless opportunities at the intersection of art and technology. For Chen, the future of art lies in its ability to adapt and evolve with technological advancements.
However, part of this forward-looking vision involves bridging the gap between traditional art
enthusiasts and the burgeoning world of digital art. There lies the importance of opening channels of communication and collaboration, ensuring that this new wave of art transcends generational and technological divides. This new era of art should not be confined to the younger, tech-savvy generation but also accessible to the pioneers of the industry. This inclusive approach fosters a dialogue that enriches the art world.
Chen acknowledges that her journey is only beginning. Having laid a solid foundation, she knows the hard work ahead to sustain and expand her reach, aiming to captivate a broader, more adventurous audience of art enthusiasts. Her path is not just about creating art; it’s about creating a movement that unites and inspires across the spectrum of artistic expression.
