Chen Gao is a Chinese interdisciplinary artist, designer, and educator based in Hartsville, SC, USA. She earned her MFA in 2D Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, USA, and currently serves as an assistant professor of art at Coker University, SC. Previously, she taught at the School of Art + Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA.

Her practice encompasses a diverse range of mediums, including film photography, free drawing, sound, poetry, performative installations, and land art. Gao often incorporates locally sourced materials to foster connections between herself and the surrounding environment, to find connections between self and outside environment. Recently, she has focused on textiles and collectible local materials, such as handpicked cotton, utilizing their tactile qualities to evoke nostalgia and memories in her installations. She views her work as an act of self-expression that inspires and empowers others, creating spaces where audiences can engage when they feel ready.

Gao’s work has been showcased in national and international exhibitions, including the Library Mural Project at the Toledo Museum of Art Reference Library and An Inspired Age at the Toledo Museum of Art. Her projects have been featured in prominent venues such as the CICA Museum in South Korea, the Griffin Museum of Photography, the Surface Design Association, iidrr Gallery in NYC, and Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, connecting with diverse audiences worldwide. Her accolades include artist residencies such as the ecoSuites Residency in Greece in 2023 and the upcoming 2026 Chateau d’Orquevaux Artists Residency in France, highlighting her commitment to eco-conscious practices.

Her work has also been featured in publications such as VoyageLA, Bold Magazine, Blurb, and Insight of an Eco Artist. Additionally, Gao has served as a panelist for Artists 360 – Mid-America Arts Alliance and is a member of the International Program Committee for the International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2025). She remains dedicated to integrating her professional studio practice with her passion for art education.

Can you tell us about your background and how you started your artistic journey?

I started my journey by simply making things—experimenting with materials and forms without a clear direction at first. Over time, this hands-on approach grew into a deeper interest in art and design, leading me to explore different mediums like graphic design, photography, and installation.

Rather than following a structured path, I let my curiosity guide me. Each project became a way to reflect on personal experiences and emotions, and through that process, I found my voice. My work continues to evolve, shaped by the materials I engage with and the environments I find myself in.

What brings you to art? When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist?

At the beginning, I didn’t have a clear passion for any subject. When it came to choosing a direction, I didn’t have much interest in subjects like physics, math, or finance—not that there’s anything wrong with them, but they didn’t feel like the right fit for me. So, I chose visual art, simply because it was something I didn’t dislike.

Over time, by continuing to work in that space, I started finding real interest in art. As I kept going, I began working more with emotions and materials. Through that process, I realized making art helped me reflect and understand myself better. It’s been a step-by-step journey—starting with following what I didn’t hate, then gradually discovering what I truly enjoy, which is what I continue to do now.

What are the main themes or concepts you explore in your work?

My work often explores themes of transition, fluidity, and the in-between—those moments where things feel undefined or suspended. I like working with this ambiguity because it feels neutral and full of possibilities, open to both positive and negative interpretations.

Nature plays a significant role in my process, but I see it as more than just wilderness. It’s the connection between natural and built environments—like how time leaves marks on old buildings or spaces where nature slowly takes over. I’m drawn to these layers because they reflect the passing of time.

This relationship with nature often leads me to create site-specific installations or performative pieces. For me, nature isn’t limited to the outdoors; it can exist in any space where these connections emerge. I bring work into these environments, letting the surroundings shape how I reflect and engage with it.

What is your creative process like?

My creative process is simple and open. I usually start by making something without a clear plan, letting the work take shape as I go. I like to follow what feels right in the moment, which helps me explore ideas naturally without worrying too much about the final result.

I often switch between working indoors and outdoors, letting the environment influence what I’m doing. Sometimes, I take the work outside to see it in a different way and reflect on it. For me, the process feels like a back-and-forth between myself, the materials, and the space I’m in—slow, thoughtful, and open to whatever happens along the way.

How has your artistic style evolved over time?

My approach has evolved simultaneously as I’ve worked with materials, instincts, and emotions, letting them all develop together in the process. In the beginning, I focused more on simple forms and straightforward ideas. Over time, I became more interested in exploring ambiguity—making work that feels open and undefined, allowing for multiple interpretations.

I’ve also started paying more attention to how my feelings and surroundings influence what I create. Working outdoors and engaging with nature has shaped this, allowing the environment to guide the direction of the work. This shift has made my process feel more fluid, focusing on the experience of making and how I respond emotionally.

What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is balancing different parts of life while trying to make time for my work. There are always multiple things happening at once, and finding that balance feels like an ongoing life task. Even though I know what I need to do, it’s not always easy to follow through.

Sometimes I have to step back and reflect to figure out how to manage everything. I understand how to create balance, but actually maintaining it can be hard. Still, I keep trying. When things finally align and the work comes together, it feels positive and reminds me why I continue making through the “chaos.”

What projects are you currently working on, and what can we expect from you in the future?

I’m working on two installation pieces that are almost finished, using local materials. I currently live in South Carolina. I picked some cotton in the region and brought it into the work. These pieces reflect architectural spaces and the in-between—spaces that sit between outdoors and indoors, holding a sense of ambiguity. They feel connected to me in a way that goes beyond familiarity, almost like reminders of places that resonate deeply.

The installations are light, and because of the materials, they will be suspended in space, allowing them to feel airy and delicate. I’m not ready to reveal exactly what I’m making yet, but if you follow my Instagram or check my website, you’ll see updates as the work comes together. It’s been exciting to explore these ideas and work with materials that feel rooted in the place I’m in now.

Text & photo courtesy of Chen Gao

Website: https://chengao.me/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chengaoart/