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Knitting in Bryant Park 1

Oil on canvas

16 x 20

My current artistic practice is exploring portraiture with an emphasis on illustrative realism. In an effort to translate the urban noise harmoniously through my work, I often combine surreal elements with representational imagery. I hope to convey my view of the world so that it resonates with the observer, presenting beauty that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. 

I have always placed a heavy emphasis on texture and patterns in my art. Through my lens, geometric shapes and repetitive motifs are expressed in vivid detail; exemplifying those found in nature. This painting was done in oil, which is my preferred medium. Its slow-drying process allows me to present a blend of precision and abstraction, helping to compress large ideas through the use of small detail.

Speaking to the theme of this exhibition, I chose to present a self portrait in which I am knitting in Bryant Park. As a knitting instructor, I am part of a program called “Found But Not Lost.” On Wednesday afternoons in the summer, people come from the five boroughs and beyond (from all over the world) to knit together for charity. To me, this illustrates communities coming together in an iconic New York neighborhood. 

Xian Eley

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Yu-Yu Chen