Artist's Statement

Wen’s exhibition history began in 1995, while he was still working on his MFA at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, graduating in 1996. Receiving awards in over half of the forty exhibitions and competitions Wen has shown in numerous Californian galleries and museums, including Palm Springs Museum and Crocker Art Museum. Wen’s works were featured in over forty publications and were selected for the cover of several national art magazines, including Art Calendar (June 1998), Sunshine Artists (July, 2000) and Unitas a Literary Monthly, Taipei (1999).

Wen belongs to a cross over generation. It could be an influence of another culture or just a necessity to find them selves away from home that inspire young artist to acquire a universal appeal. In any case, tradition and belonging to any particular culture is not an obstacle but, rather an inspiration for an expansion of boundaries, for embracing other cultures and integrating acquired knowledge and experience into their own.

Being inspired by Surrealism in painting and film, Wen’s art work has assimilated ideas and the ways of expression from the great masters of painting and cinema. Wen’s source of inspiration comes from his dreams, where surreal becomes a reality. A protagonist of Wen’s paintings is his other self from a world of soul searching placed in various recognizable circumstances. An image of a seagull, as a metaphor for his own search of spirituality inhabits Wen’s paintings. Birds have affected his imagination at an early age, perhaps, after a famous Hitchcock’s movie, “Birds.”

Already in San Francisco, Wen took a special interest in the study of seagulls. He identified himself with these birds recalling his dreams of flying and the sensations they left. The seagulls became his soul search. They personify human spirit looking for home or going away to find their dreams, visiting, crowding a schoolyard or a freeway, or landing on the grass in the woods.

“I will say that it is important to share my experiences of creation and my philosophy of art with viewers,” says Wen, “In the series, “Fly to Sky” and “Books,” I am commenting on my recurrent dreams since my childhood. I felt very happy and free when I had those dreams. Exploring this subject, in the series "Fly to Sky" I try to express the fantasy world of a human being. Books have enriched my life. That is why art books appear in my "Book Paintings” series. The works of other artists gave me knowledge. Each book of other artist’s work is recorded in my memory and becomes part of my painting as well. “Birds” series expresses a wondering, curiosity, referencing to a human unsettling spirit. "Birds on trees: Home" deliver and idea of security and warmer feeling. While "Dream is Life” presents memories, experiences, and hope. These memories embedded in my personal imagery database are translated into a narrative in my paintings. I prefer to study the subject that presents a unique context. Perhaps, surrealism is the style that allows me to do it.”