Meet Boo Chen

We recently connected with Boo Chen and have shared our conversation below.

Boo, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Growing up as an East Asian female, I was fortunately enough to be born in a well off family that’s dominated by females. And the experiences of having strong and successful female figures inspired me to pass on the strength to other girls who might be struggling through the structure of patriarchy society, much social norms and restrictions.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My practice delves into notions of self-identity through the lens of gender, culture, and the body. As an East Asian female artist, I explored the intricate interplay between individual agency and societal norms. My sculptural works utilize botanical motifs, particularly orchids, as proxies for the feminine condition. Orchids, akin to women, become subjects of cultivation and control, esteemed for superficial markers of perfection adhering to artificial ideals. I opts for ephemeral media such as glass and clay to mirror the malleable, impermanent nature of personhood. Through tactile sculpting and molding, I impose an external force on these materials, mirroring the myriad social and cultural forces shaping female subjectivity. My artwork seeks connection and understanding, substituting visual communication for literal words. My new series of work that I’m currently working on is the growing pain being born into the world as a female. The things that are slightly uncomfortable but not talked about physical and psychological as a girl talking to all the rest of the girls.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The most important is to seek bonding with your community. I received so much through having conversations with different females, they gave advices or shared life experiences, which I could never find anywhere else.
Empathy is another thing that I found that I’m getting better at. I can’t understand anyone unless I walk in their shoes, even though situations may seem clear to me, different person might not see it because of totally life stories.
And consistency in the work that’s been currently focused on, keeping it in the back of my mind help me collect more or think in different perspectives just in day to day life.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I think just all the females in my life, my mom, grandma, great grandma, mentors and peers at masters programs, all the older females shared their experiences in life with me generously and guided me through many moments that I feel confuse or lost on the path I’m on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Boochen.art
• Instagram: Isitbooboo