Derek Chan
Endless Blue Dream
2023,
Acrylic, silk textile, wood, and quartz,
84” x 24” x 85”
I’m looking forward to teaching a marbling workshop on July 29/30 in Roswell, NM. I first started experimenting with marbling during my residency at Rair, primarily as a collage element for my mixed media works. More recently, I have also been incorporating textiles. We will be marbling on paper and silk during the two-day workshop.
If you are interested in participating, visit Bonespringsartspace.org for more details.
It has been an honor to reunite with my 2013 Roswell Artist-In-Residence cohorts recently. While it has been ten years since I participated in the Rair program, it feels like yesterday. The gift of time was a blessing that left a lasting impact on my life and art-making. After completing the program, I ultimately stayed in New Mexico, which I continue to call my home. I am eternally grateful to the Rair community for their generosity, support, and lasting friendships.
Thank you,
Rair
Bonesprings
May, 2021
I recently had the opportunity to meet with members from the cultivist on their recent trip to the Southwest. As part of the program, I welcomed members into my home for a studio visit and artist talk, led by Joey Lico, cultivist global curator, and Sr. Director. After a solitary year, it was significant to invite visitors to my studio space to see my artwork and learn about my trajectory for the first time. Reflecting upon my time in the Southwest, I’m immensely grateful to continue my journey and follow my dream as an artist. In addition, I was able to share the aspects of this place that make it unique from my perspective, including the landscape, culture, and the many people I have met along the way. I selected works to display from over the last decade. The pieces were various drawings, paintings, books, collages, textiles, and a video piece with sound. Members of this group were also able to get a glimpse into an upcoming project. I’m grateful to the cultivist and everyone who visited my studio for your energy, engagement, and sincere passion for art. Congratulations to the raffle winners. Special thanks to Joey Lico for your support and commitment to highlighting artists and artwork in unlikely places.
Best,
Derek
2.29.20
Dear Friends,
I find myself back in Santa Fe, NM, after several busy months on the road. In the fall of 2019, I had the opportunity to assist artist and urban planner Theaster Gates and his studio with several projects. Working with Theaster, and his team, was a valuable experience, one that allowed me to expand my skill sets and broaden perspectives. I’m appreciative of his generosity of spirit.
This was also a meaningful time to reconnect with many old friends, peers, and teachers in Chicago and Los Angeles. I have fond memories of formative experiences as an undergrad student at UCLA. I also credit the individuals I met in the Chicago art community from 2005-2012, in helping to shape me as an artist, many I consider to be lifelong friends.
In other recent Chicago news, the piece Not an Island is included in the In Flux – Living Architecture project curated by Tricia Van Eck of 6018North. I’m appreciative of her long term support of this work. The most recent iteration of the project In Flux – Chicago Artists and Immigration is currently on view at the Chicago Cultural Center until May 10, 2020.
Earlier this fall, I was also invited to collaborate with Albuquerque based musician Luke Gullickson on cover art for his Golconda – Ghost Stories and Lost Forest albums. The digital releases are now available.
Please stay tuned for more news in 2020 and projects to come.
Best,
Derek
10.30.18
A few nights ago we finished installing Night Navigation, at the Inpost Artspace curated by Erin Galvez and Robbin Bates. The works in the show look to celestial phenomena as a guiding force during uncertain times. Included are recent and older paintings, mixed-media banners, and an interactive element. Full press release can be read here.
I’m enjoying the experience teaching drawing at UNM this fall semester. The students have been making some interesting work. We have also been fortunate to have wonderful guest speakers Harold Mendez, Erin Elder and Ana MacArthur. I’m very appreciative of the support from my colleagues and the community at UNM. This will be my first time exhibiting in Albuquerque, and if you are in the area, please stop by.
Best,
Derek
Hello Friends,
As summer nears to a close, I begin a new semester as an adjunct-instructor at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. I look forward to meeting and working with students who registered for the Drawing 3 course.
I’ve been busy and here’s an update. Over the past several months, I conducted workshops, introducing marbling techniques on paper, leather and fabric. Thank you to everyone who has participated in workshops at my studio, Ah-haa School for the Arts in Telluride, Colorado and Artisan in Santa Fe. I appreciate your interest, and I hope you had as much fun as I did.
In April of this year, I had the good fortune of assisting award winning cross-disciplinary artist Ana Macarthur with her installation for the Leonardo Laser Talks, presented at the Santa Fe Art Institute. For a close look at the magic and unique blend of her art and light-science, a link to Ana Macarthur’s website can be found here.
Another recent highlight was the Outer Local group show curated by Sandra Wang and Crockett Bodelson at David Richard Gallery, Santa Fe. This was an opportunity to exhibit my functional art objects. These journal notebooks and sketchbooks were designed with one-of-a-kind covers. The special edition was created to pay tribute to the women who inherited the title of “Indigenous Grandmother”. Divinely gifted, the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers come from various regions of the globe to inspire wisdom and peace within humanity.
In the Chicago area, one of my paintings is currently on view in the Living Architecture exhibition, at 6018 North, located in the Edgewater neighborhood.
A current project titled Night Navigation is scheduled to open in late October 2018, at the Inpost Artspace in Albuquerque. My approach to this exhibit is that every detail be carefully thought out and my dedication to excellence is paramount. Additional information regarding this upcoming show will soon be available.
Hope you had a wonderful summer.
Best,
Derek
2016
Paper Marbling at the Ah-haa School for the Arts. Much gratitude to Ah Haa, The Wilkinson Public Library and everyone who participated. Special thanks to Kris Kwasniewski and Drew Ludwig.
7.16.15
Float: Paper and Marbling at CCA, Santa Fe (6/28/15). Teaching traditional and experimental paper marbling techniques. Thank you to CCA and everyone that participated.
Demonstrating Suminagashi (Floating Ink). photo: Angie Rizzo
At Three Rivers Petroglyph site with fellow artists Lucho Pozo, Jose Rivera and Ted Schooley.
Mescalero sands with Jose Rivera, 2013.
Roswell NM,2013