Fragmented- Untitled 4 & 1 Diptych, 2021

Ying Chen   New & remarkable Artists

This artwork captivates with its stark monochromatic palette, presenting two hauntingly beautiful figures against a void-like black background. On the left, the figure seems to dissolve into abstraction, a dynamic interplay of light and shadow creating an ephemeral, almost ghostly presence. The left figure's contorted posture suggests a struggle or transformation, capturing a fleeting moment suspended in time. In contrast, the right figure exudes contemplative stillness, softly illuminated to emphasize elongated features and intricate textures. The juxtaposition of movement and calm creates a powerful narrative of duality, enhancing the viewer's emotional engagement. The artist's masterful control of chiaroscuro technique accentuates the drama and elegance within the composition. This diptych invites introspection, compelling us to ponder the boundaries between form and formlessness, presence and absence.

The artist wanted to create an air of sadness and negative emotions that could be experienced in a photograph. She says that we go through our daily routines, often leaving our emotions in the background without fully addressing them. That in the back of our minds, those passing negative thoughts break down and become monsters lurking in the shadows of our minds. She wanted to depict a moment of psychological breakdown and negative emotions manifesting as a chimera-like creature in a collage. Ying Chen discovered her passion for creating photo collages. The series she produced at the time focused primarily on distortion and repetition to express the chaotic thoughts she cannot put into words.