The paintings of Yuehchen Wang – “Color Field – Between Heaven and Earth” – will soon be featured in an art exhibition at Ashford University’s Cortona Gallery.

            The artwork will be on display from August 22 through September 19 with an artist’s reception set for Friday, August 29, from 2-4 p.m. in the Gallery.

“As a Chinese immigrant, I am influenced by both Eastern and Western culture and thoughts,” said Wang. “Tao means a road, and is often translated as ‘the way.’ I believe when an artist creates his work by vivid brushwork and varying degrees of intensity of color, he or she is expressing his or her concept of feelings, emotions and individuality. My works are inspired from the ancient Chinese characters, colors, and textures that abound in nature. I build my paintings in layers, alternating transparent and opaque to achieve the richest surface quality and color environment.”

 “The artist creates a sense of energy- ‘qi’,” added Wang. “The whole universe is made up of qi. It is an emotional, spiritual and metaphysical feeling. In Taoist thought, change is the essential nature of reality. The constantly shifting patterns of the waves symbolize the transformations of yin and yang. Eastern culture associates with yin; western culture associates with yang. Earth associates with yin; heaven associates with yang. When two opposite energies reach a balance or harmony, it creates a positive qi. I create a sense of ‘qi,’ which presents the viewer with a sense of refreshment, meditation and reflection.”

            Wang is both a teaching assistant and a doctoral student in the Art Education Program of the University of Iowa. She received her Master of Arts in Studio Art, Painting and Ceramics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor of Education in Art Education from the National Hsin-Chu University of Education in Taiwan. Prior to her studies, Wang was an art teacher in Taiwan from 1996-2005.

            As an artist, Wang has won numerous awards, both in the United States and in Taiwan, and her work has been included in exhibitions and collections since 1990.

Located on the second floor of Ashford University’s Clare Hall at 400 North Bluff Boulevard in Clinton, The Cortona Gallery is named for Sister Cortona Phelan, OSF, former president of Mount St. Clare College and former president of the Sisters of St. Francis. For many years, Cortona influenced the quality of education at the College through her teaching of American history and her love of the arts. She also served as MSC Academy Principal and as Dean of Students at the College.

The Ashford University Cortona Art Gallery is open to the public, free of charge, every weekday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and for private showings by appointment. For further information, please call 563.242.4023.

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