In the dynamic realm where fine art converges with artisanal mastery, Vivian Chiu stands as a singular voice. An artist whose fascination with object-making found its profound expression in wood, Chiu’s journey began at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she delved into furniture design. Her material of choice? Wood, a medium she reveres for its inherent versatility. “I love working with wood because it is additive, subtractive, and precise,” Chiu explains. “You can carve it away, build it back up, and cut it at a perfect 90-degree angle to a 32nd of an inch.” This foundational precision, coupled with a graduate degree in sculpture from Columbia University, allowed her to forge a distinctive practice, characterized by continuous deconstruction and reconstruction, culminating in her signature optical forms.
The Power of Community and Evolving Inspirations
Beyond the solitary act of creation, Chiu emphasizes the critical role of community in her artistic development. Her most formative period, she recalls, was as a studio assistant to the renowned sculptor Ursula von Rydingsvard. This experience not only honed her skills but also fostered deep bonds with colleagues who became her closest confidantes and an invaluable support system for navigating both art and life.
Never one to rest on her laurels, the Richmond, Virginia-based artist is constantly pushing the boundaries of her practice. Her current explorations delve into the rich tapestry of Chinese histories and myths, serving as a wellspring of inspiration for abstract images she intends to integrate with intricate marquetry. Despite a packed schedule of exhibitions and events, Chiu maintains a surprising, yet telling, pastime: Texas Hold’em Poker. “I joined a free weekly league, and have met a whole new group of friends I might never have crossed paths with otherwise,” she notes. “The game satisfies the part of me that loves math, strategy, and algorithmic problem-solving.” This passion for structured thinking clearly echoes the precision and systematic approach evident in her artwork.
Vivian Chiu’s Friday Five: A Glimpse into Artistic Influences
In a special segment, Vivian Chiu shares five artists who have profoundly shaped her perspective and practice, offering a unique window into her creative ecosystem.
1. Yuri Kobayashi: The Guiding Hand
Chiu credits Yuri Kobayashi, her undergraduate teacher at RISD, as a pivotal figure who inspired her pursuit of sculptural woodworking. “Her work ethic and craftsmanship are unparalleled,” Chiu states, highlighting Kobayashi as an exceptionally generous and knowledgeable mentor for any aspiring woodworker.
2. Joyce Lin: A Superstar of Detail
Joyce Lin earns Chiu’s admiration as an “absolute superstar” whose work is marked by breathtaking detail and intricacy. Chiu expresses envy for Lin’s ability to seamlessly weave material research into her sculptural furniture pieces, urging enthusiasts not to miss Lin’s current exhibition at R & Company.
3. Sylvie Rosenthal: A Legacy of Joy
With a poignant note, Chiu pays tribute to the late Sylvie Rosenthal, whose genius, humor, and joyous approach to working with wood left an indelible mark. Rosenthal’s spirit, Chiu affirms, will continue to resonate with her for a long time.
4. Jennifer Ling Datchuk: Blending Worlds
Jennifer Ling Datchuk’s dark humor and masterful fusion of traditional and contemporary influences, bridging East and West in both material and concept, have consistently inspired Chiu. She describes Datchuk’s work as richly layered and deeply nuanced, a source of continuous artistic resonance.
5. Meg Callahan: Algorithmic Aesthetics in Quilts
A friend and peer from their RISD days, Meg Callahan’s work captivates Chiu with its innovative use of the grid in quilt patterns and precise color waves, creating an effect akin to op art. Chiu is particularly drawn to Callahan’s application of pattern and algorithmic structure, finding it incredibly impressive how these systems are expressed through functional quilts.
Selected Works by Vivian Chiu
- Blanket (2019): An 8-foot by 8-foot wooden blanket, composed of individual 3/4″ poplar cubes. Chiu describes it as a response to personal anxieties regarding queerness, aiming to create a weighted blanket that simultaneously reveals and conceals information.
- Self V (2022): A Burr puzzle crafted from 129 interlocking notched pieces, this work explores visual coherence, visibility, and invisibility. Self-portraits are printed on adhesive vinyl and applied to each surface, creating an optical illusion of compounded and clear photographs as the viewer moves around the piece.
- Self VI (2022): The largest of Chiu’s Burr puzzles, this monumental piece comprises approximately 400 interlocking wood pieces, forming a pixelated octahedron. It presents a triptych of a nude in recline, offering a contemporary, queer, and feminist reinterpretation of the traditional lying figure, drawing from both Eastern and Western art histories.
- Inclination (2018): An exploration of opticality and perception, this piece features tapered wood sections, painted and then arranged to form an undulating Mobius strip, inviting viewers to engage with its shifting visual dynamics.
Vivian Chiu’s artistry is a testament to the power of meticulous craftsmanship, intellectual curiosity, and a profound engagement with both personal narratives and broader cultural dialogues. Her work not only challenges perceptions but also celebrates the enduring versatility and expressive potential of wood.
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