Modern China Through the Lens and Brushstroke of Chen Man

As a part of its visionary “Rogue Wave” program, presenting the work of emerging contemporary artists, L.A. Louver has brought the fantastical photographs and elegant ink paintings of Chinese artist Chen Man stateside. At first, this pairing of wildly manipulated, lush digital photographs with ink-and-brush paintings and calligraphic works—made in the classical Chinese idiom—may seem strange. For Chen Man, however, there is no conflict here, but rather a reflection of contemporary China itself and of her own artistic background. Trained in classical Chinese art and informed by Taoist philosophy, she established a successful career as a fashion photographer, and became known for her bold use of post-production techniques and digital image manipulation. Speaking of her photographs, she once explained: “I mix tradition with modernity and make it kitsch. In the past, Chinese artists have always looked abroad for inspiration as opposed to looking domestically. I’m one of the first people to actually look to China for inspiration.”

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Chen Man: East-West is on view at L.A. Louver through January 24, 2015.