by Lena Snow
Stacey Chen is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist from Taiwan, now living in Chicago, whose work beautifully blends reality with imagination. Through a variety of mediums—ranging from intricate dry media drawings to vibrant digital illustrations and experimental mixed media—Stacey has crafted a unique artistic voice. Her creations invite us to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, bridging the gap between what is real and what is fantastical.
Photo Credit: Wei Du
Stacey’s journey as an artist began in Taiwan, where her love for drawing and design showed up early. Growing up in a culture that often placed practicality over creativity, she still held fast to her passion, navigating societal expectations while chasing her artistic dreams. This determination not only sharpened her technical skills but also deepened her well of creativity, setting the stage for what would come next.
Moving to the United States brought Stacey new challenges as she adjusted to a different cultural environment and worked to establish herself as an artist. During this transformative period, her work began to reflect deeper, more introspective themes. Her art became a way to process her experiences, turning emotions and thoughts into compelling visual stories that resonate with a broad audience, crossing cultural and language barriers.
Stacey’s work is known for its meticulous detail and the seamless blending of fantastical elements with realistic settings. This fusion isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a thoughtful attempt to challenge how we see the world and provoke new ways of thinking. Through her art, Stacey encourages us to rethink our understanding of reality, helping us find beauty in the mundane and embrace the limitless possibilities of imagination.
Stacey Chen: Way to Work, 2023, colored pencil on paper
One of the central themes in Stacey’s work is the idea of the ephemeral—those fleeting moments that spark creativity. These moments, often drawn from nature, human experiences, or the surreal, form the foundation of her art. Stacey has a gift for capturing these transient sparks and turning them into lasting visual narratives. Her art reimagines the familiar through a magical lens, transforming the everyday into something extraordinary and inviting a sense of wonder into our daily lives.
Stacey’s work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions in the United States and internationally, earning her recognition for her unique ability to engage and provoke thought. Some of her notable showcases include exhibitions at the Golden Duck Gallery in Budapest, the St. Louis Art Gallery in Oxford, and the South Arkansas Arts Center. These opportunities have helped establish her reputation as an artist who embraces the unknown, always pushing the boundaries of creative expression.
Stacey's background in industrial design has profoundly shaped her artistic journey, giving her a keen understanding of form and function that she seamlessly integrates into her artwork. As an Industrial Designer at SRAM, Stacey leverages her artistic talents to enhance her design work, creating a dynamic synergy between art and design that enriches both disciplines. This dual expertise has allowed her to explore new creative dimensions, blending technical precision with imaginative expression. Her design skills have been recognized in various competitions, where she secured second place in the Foundation Art & Design Competition and received honors such as the Reggie Behl Drawing Award and a nomination for the Rowena Reed Kostellow Fund Award.
Balancing a career in industrial design with a passion for art hasn’t always been easy. There were moments of doubt when the demands of professional life seemed to overshadow her creative pursuits. But Stacey’s dedication to her art has always won out, enabling her to keep exploring that delicate balance between reality and imagination. This perseverance shines through in the depth and complexity of her work, which continues to evolve and captivate audiences.
Stacey Chen: Soy-stained Alley, 2024, charcoal on paper
Today, Stacey Chen’s work is a powerful reminder of the importance of imagination and the resilience of the creative spirit. Her art reflects her personal experiences and invites others to embark on their own journeys of exploration and discovery. Through her work, Stacey hopes to inspire others to view the world through a new, magical lens—where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, and the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.
As she continues to grow as an artist, Stacey remains committed to celebrating those fleeting moments of inspiration that fuel creativity. Each piece she creates reflects her belief in the magic that lies just beneath the surface of everyday life—a magic that, once discovered, has the power to change how we see the world and inspire us to dream, wonder, and create. Her journey is more than just her story; it’s an invitation to everyone to dream, to create, and to find the extraordinary in the world around us.
Website: www.staceychen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceesee/