Celestial Bodies contemplates the human body as a reflection of the universe, an idea embedded in ancient and modern cosmology, acupuncture, and traditional medicine. The term “celestial,” once a racial slur used against Chinese American laborers in the 19th century, is reclaimed and dedicated to a shared cosmic connection among the Asian diaspora. Featuring fourteen AAPI artists with ties to the American South and Midwest, this exhibition reflects on how migration reshapes personal and cultural mythologies, birthing new visual languages and collective imaginations. Nearly all the elements that comprise the human body were formed from stars over billions of years, meaning the constellations are our oldest ancestors. Just as stars chart ancestral pathways across the night sky, these works trace the journeys of those who came before us—seeking belonging, forging new homes, and dreaming beyond borders. Weaving together ancestral histories, personal narratives, and speculative futures, Celestial Bodies is a constellation map proposing that even as we traverse unfamiliar landscapes, we are forever connected by the sky.

Opening Reception
Friday, Feb 21, 2025 | 6 – 8 PM

Address
1250 E 13th St, Chattanooga, TN

Gallery Hours
Wednesday – Saturday | 12 – 6:30 PM
Closed Sunday – Tuesday

Artists
Soeun Bae, Danqi Cai, In Kyoung Chun, Yiran Guo, Chieko Murasugi, Dana Lynn Harper, Clare Hu, Gyun Hur, coco liao, Ivan David Ng, Marina Peng, Narong Tintamusik, Jan-Ru Wan, Neena Wang

Curator
Neena Wang

Exhibition Dates
February 21 – June 7, 2025

Gallery Website
https://www.stoveworks.org/celestial-bodies

Contact
friends@stoveworks.org

(Text and images courtesy of Stove Works)