In the early 2000s, Chen Man rose to prominence as a fashion photographer, distinguished by her sensational and stylized use of post production techniques and hands-on manipulation. At only 23 years of age, she was first recognized in 2003 for a series of covers she produced for China's Vision magazine. Featuring stunning Asian models imposed with Chinese elements, Chen Man merged traditional motifs onto modern subjects, creating compositions that venerated the past but were entirely forward in their execution. One work from the Vision series, Vision: Year of the Monkey (featured above) alludes to the monkey mask, a reference to the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West. 

We’re excited to be mounting a solo exhibition of Chen Man’s photographs and paintings titled East-West, on view 10 December 2014 - 24 January 2015. Stay tuned for more details as the exhibition nears!

IMAGE: Chen Man, Vision: Year of Monkey, 2003, c-print, 53 ½ x 51 ¼ in. (136.06 x 130 cm)