Storefront Art Projects: Jasmine Chen

October 14, 2023

On view: September 7 - October 14, 2023
Gallery hours: Thursdays and Saturdays, 1 - 4 pm

83 Spring Street, Watertown, MA

More photos to follow.

https://www.storefrontartprojects.com/jasmine-chen-body-work-and-practice

This little outpost is a diamond in the rough. Tucked away on a residential street in Watertown, it regularly hosts work by a range of artists, mainstream to modern. The current show “jasmine chen: bodywork + practice” is a lalapalooza of style and content.

Owner Ellen Wineberg says Chen was born in China, has been steeped in creating art since she was 2 years old, graduated from Harvard then Brandeis with a degree in economics. She has been demonstrating her technique at StorefrontArtProjects using traditional Chinese brushes and ink pots. Channeling her inner child, she connects with her muse of the moment, has painted using strands of her hair and pressed lipsticked lips together against paper to make small prints that remind me of Marilyn Monroe blowing kisses with her pouty lips. Oh, and composed one print by pounding her inked shoe on wet paper.

Her most striking ink wash paintings gain power from simplicity and technique by using traditional Chinese brushes and ink. Subtle gradations from shades of black and gray display an uncanny depth. Examining the prints on the walls and lying on the storefront windowsill feels like a form of walking meditation. In these tumultuous times, a visit to Storefront’s Jasmine Chen exhibit inspires a deep cleansing breath.

I had arrived at 11:30 AM, way before the gallery's opening time of 1 PM. Ms; Wineberg informed me that the artist would return in the afternoon, the last day of her show.

I returned to watch Ms. Chen make an ink wash portrait of a young boy and his sister as their mother watched. While sitting on a folding chair taking notes, I was asked if I'd sit for a portrait...oh boy...yes! And was more than happy to make a donation to the artist.

First visit11:30 AM

Scene across from 83 Spring Street Watertown MA reflected in storefront window

Passersby drawn inside by this display of Jasmine Chen's inkwash paintings in storefront window

Below photos...Chen captures subtle nuances of what is under the surface by the way her subjects choose to pose...

and viewers interpret...

while translating ink and paper...

into their own ...

ideas of who each  of them were in person.

ABOVE...Chen's work on display in storefront window is as revealing as a photograph.

Creative Chen used her own hair to create this linear tangle... i would have loved to watch her make this one displayed on gallery wall.

Tabletop on which Chen painted this afternoon.

Chen used a painting knife to apply thick layers of oil paint to the portrait above.

Luminous color shows that Chen has mastered oil paint.

Four of a kind ...

Portrait Jasmine Chen made by pressing her lips to the paper...she's created with her hair, boots and now her lips!

Artist bio...

Sunlit office behind the showroom

Gallery owner Ellen Wineberg holding an ink wash painting by Jasmine Chen. Do you recognize the subject on the left side of the portrait in her hands?

Chen portraits are for sale, not her portraits of family.

Coming soon...Jasmine Chen Part 2 - watching the artist at work.

Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.

Comments

[Jasmine]

HI Paul, I am so honored and grateful for your wonderful review of my work at Storefront Gallery. I love both pieces. Thank you so much! Jasmine

[Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large]

Jasmine, a rare chance to watch the creative process in real time. I was fascinated...and pleased that my descriptions of your work rang true to you. Cheers to Ellen for arranging the event. Perhaps incentive to arrange more events like this one in the future.