Interview with Celine Chan
Celine Chan Bio
Celine Chan is definitely one of the most dazzling emerging female artists in Asia these past few years. This talented young artist studied in Canada and Hong Kong and she is now being an artist focusing on creating her paper-quilling artworks. Celine’s artwork shows a really strong personality and the beauty of life. She has received many international awards including nominated by Sovereign Asian Art Prize 2021, the Finalist Award of the International Artists Grand Prize Competition in Taiwan and the Talent Prize Award and Honorable Mention Awards of Portrait III organized by Art Show International Gallery. She is currently a full member of the Women’s Artist Association of Canada.
Celine Chen is a novel artist in Hong Kong. She studied in Canada and further her studies in design at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Inspired by the Russian paper quilling master Yulia Brodskaya, Celine never stopped practicing and devoted herself ardently to the creation of paper quilling art. Her artworks have a strong personality, with gorgeous integration of Oriental culture. She is one of the few Asian artists engaged in the creation of paper quilling. Her works are glamorous and trendy, always demonstrating her passion for life and beauty. Her works are collected by many local and international celebrities.
Celine Chan Artist Statement
Paper quilling is as gorgeous as oriental embroidery, and deeply loved by people. Paper quilling is not a simple process combination. Its beauty is through the delicate jade hand, skillfully using small pliers, according to the dense small lines already drawn, like the fine craftsman of timers, aiming at the works of art that are pasted into a picture, by every single trace, color and roll. One single mistake will cause the work to be redone all over again. Therefore it is fair to compare the making of paper-quilling with the making of timers. Paper quilling is an art originated from the British royal family and aristocrats in the 18th century. According to researches, this is an art that emerged from the superior roll paper works made by religious women (or nuns) to glamorize their religion. Such a good intention. These works, with a little patience and creativity, have become a beautiful and artistic divine color art, which is deeply loved and pursued by the nobility.
The reason Celine likes doing paper quilling artwork is because she feels calm and peaceful when she focuses on pasting those paper pieces to the composition carefully. Paper quilling definitely needs a lot of patience and perseverance to complete. It is a very difficult process and it is such an unforgiving art form. But on the other hand, it gives people enormous satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment after finishing making the whole artwork.
She wants to express the psychological side of human beings and the attitude of how people face problems through her artworks, giving them the power to be more resilient to difficulties. Also, she believes that the power of love can break through the gap of light leakage in the darkness.. Therefore, she wants her viewers to feel that positive spirit towards life.
Your work in paper quilling is a meticulous and fragile art form, often compared to the transient beauty of life itself. How do you philosophically reconcile the fleeting nature of your medium with the desire to create lasting, impactful art that communicates enduring truths about the human condition?
In Chinese philosophy, there is a phrase: "Life can be as light as a feather or as heavy as a mountain." The most important task of being an artist is to convey valuable messages or ideas to the world that may last forever, and if we can do so, that should be enough.
A person's life can only last for a few decades. Although the body is short-lived, the human soul is long-lasting. We should continue to bloom ourselves, continue to shine, continue to pursue goals, and bring value to others and help others.
We must break our inherent forms, concepts, and ideas to create breakthroughs. We may leave some evidence to show that our era is progressing, and we are also using new concepts to create new horizons. The purpose of survival is to pursue the meaning of life or social value and to leave a mark on civilization. The meaning of life is to leave some critical significance and footprints on the world, leaving the mark of innovation and reformation.
When encountering difficulties, some people will choose to escape, and others will face challenges with strength. Therefore, we cannot just say that life is fragile because not everyone is weak. There were some very determined people, such as Wu Zetian, the first female emperor of China during the Tang Dynasty. She was an excellent example of a strong personality. Also, I am not a fragile person as well. I have suffered from many dilemmas before, and I persisted in encountering all the difficulties; I did not give up on myself, and I kept working hard so that finally, I overcame all the problems and came out of the predicament. So again, life is not fragile; it is full of hope. Although there are many hardships and tests, life can be very bright if you can stick to your faith.
Some people may think paper is fragile, but I don't. I compare the paper to life experience. Although one piece of paper may be easily broken, when ten pieces of paper, hundreds of pieces of paper, or even a thousand pieces of paper are stacked together, just like when countless experiences are put together, they become very hard. It will take a lot of work to break them. Just as life can be fragile, people's spirits can be strong.
Many accidents are self-inflicted. Because of the cycle of Karma, some people choose to end their lives if they cannot see through it. Assuming that you can survive the difficulties when a door has closed, at the same time, it will be another open window for you in another place. It can be said with certainty that you may face difficulties now, but some good things will happen to you soon; you must face problems with determination to usher in the next suitable opportunity.
Integrating Oriental cultural elements into your paper quilling art creates a dialogue between past and present. How do you philosophically approach the notion of time in your work, and what does this temporal layering say about your views on cultural continuity and evolution?
I try to express my values and attitude toward life sincerely in my work. I often use traditional elements to convey my concepts, such as Greek mythological characters, western aboriginal totems, Chinese Taoism, Characters in Chinese history, etc. These elements are not limited by space and time. I hope to give a new connotation to my unique and innovative artistic language with these traditional elements because I believe that inheritance and innovation are equally important in the development of human civilization.
In my creative concept, time has no distinction between past, present, and future because the human spirit can transcend time and space and will not be obsoleted. The wisdom and beliefs of ancient people will always remain. The spirit of great artists and philosophers of the past will always inspire the creation and thinking of current artists. I have integrated this abstract consciousness into my artworks. I hope that viewers understand the ideas conveyed in my artwork.
Art is an eternal communication language. Van Gogh's artworks helped me get through the rock bottom in my life; I didn't know much about his works then. I had only heard about his story briefly. When I looked at his paintings on the wall at home, I felt an unprecedented peace in my heart. When I encountered extreme difficulties, I thought that the whole world had abandoned me; I was so upset due to the abandonment of my friends and my family. The betrayal made me feel that I was the only one left in the world, as Van Gogh might felt the same way. He was very lonely, and so dd I. I did not know whom I should talk to them, so I spoke to him every day and felt that Van Gogh was with me every day. He could understand my mood and help me get through the difficult moments. That's why art is an eternal thing that can communicate across time and space. It is not just about communicating with words. No matter how long time has passed, art can still communicate with us. It is a channel for communication across time and space.
Every artist hopes to seek breakthroughs in their field, continue to innovate, and create unique artworks to represent themselves. It is a tricky thing to do. Just like Van Gogh, his unique creative ability was unmatched by anyone at the time, and it took almost a century for the value of his artworks to be widely recognized. Many artists face the same situation; they may not be accepted by others now or throughout their life, but they keep working hard and persist in their beliefs. We hope to bring our values to others and hope to continue to advance the art we are engaged in.
In creating your piece "Tai Chi Circle”, you delve into the ancient philosophical principles of Yin and Yang. How do you interpret the dynamic balance of opposites within your work, and what does this reveal about your understanding of harmony and discord in art and life?
Yin and Yang react between heaven and earth, so all things change and come into being. Everything in heaven and earth is composed of Yin and Yang. But under certain conditions, Yin is also Yang, and Yang is also Yin. The matching of men and women is itself a Yin and Yang. In general speaking, men are energetic and physically stronger than women. Still, on the other hand, men need to be more careful when making decisions and need more women's close and meticulous thinking mode. Therefore, the best results will be achieved when men and women can complement each other in harmony.
Just like the balance of yin and yang in the Tai Chi circle, it means that there is yang within yin and yin within yang. The balance will be broken if the man is strong and the woman is powerful. If we can use the principles of yin and yang, avoid extremes in everything, and understand the importance of balance, we will achieve successful and satisfying results in or out of life.
Art and life can be harmonious and integrated. Everyone has the potential to be an artist and has their aesthetic. Whether the public accepts their aesthetic is another matter. Art evolves from life. The more you experience, the more emotions you can put into your work.
Art is the bridge that makes life perfect. It constantly breaks through life's frustrations and turns imperfection into perfection. Making mistakes is OK. Some people will choose an imperfect life or even an incomplete life. Some parts also need to be completed. Every art has its form of expression, and both life and art have their shortcomings and unsatisfactory moments. Therefore, art and life are the same; they are not opposites.
Art expresses a vision of a better life. Through their creations, artists express their vision of a better life and hope that the world will improve. Our world may be imperfect, but there is also a good side. Just like Tai Chi, there is a mixture of good and evil. The key is to achieve balance, treat good times peacefully, and face adversity optimistically. This is also the way of Tai Chi.
Your art, particularly "Red-crowned Crane,"and “Queen Wu Zetian” blend traditional symbolism with contemporary techniques. How do you philosophically navigate the tension between tradition and modernity in your work, and what statement are you making about the artist's role in preserving and transforming cultural heritage?
In the work of the red-crowned crane, I skillfully combined traditional elements and modern artistic techniques, which is one of my favorite works.
Traditional culture and modern development are contradictory to a certain extent, but they are also integrated.
Traditional culture needs to be passed on because, as a Chinese artist, I should understand the connotation of my own culture and find out the beauty of our own culture. Just like the new paper-quilling artwork "Wu Zetian" I am currently working on, I want the connotation and characteristics of "Wu Zetian" as close as possible and display this to the audience, including her majesty as an emperor so that her thoughts can be preserved. While innovating, I put many ancient solemn elements in the artwork because Wu Zetian is also a person who likes innovation and is willing to accept new things. She has a heart for beauty and hopes I break through and innovate as much as possible. I think artists have the responsibility to inherit and reform; therefore, I must show the solemnity of "Wu Zetian" in this artwork and show the spirit of innovation to tell everyone that the protagonist in the painting is also a multifaceted character who can accept innovation. I want to express her in an all-around way. Because I know that "Wu Zetian" hopes to help all women, just like her perseverance in life once helped me come out of the darkness and can help other women in trouble.
For me, the combination of traditional and modern art is compatible. When researching "Wu Zetian," I got to know her experience and knew she was constantly breaking through herself and trying to overcome her difficulties. The difficulties she faced at that time were hazardous. She continued to meet challenges, reaching a higher level and breaking through difficulties layer by layer.
After I learned about Wu Zetian's life story, I understood why she hid her gentle side and only showed her strong side to the world. She wanted to give women a strong and tough image. She wanted to show people that women can be as strong as her and persevere no matter their difficulties. Wu Zetian's perseverance helped me, who was confused at the time, and allowed me to stand up again.
Wu Zetian protected the inheritance of culture, and she was also a female politician who dared to accept new things. Her innovative spirit was experienced in her political reforms, imperial examination reforms, and talent promotion, and she established a gender balance between men and women in the feudal era. An equal society has proven her spirit of innovation one by one. She has contributed significantly to the innovation of female makeup and has a unique view of aesthetic concepts. Therefore, I also hope to learn from her innovative spirit and add new elements to my artwork so that tradition and innovation can be perfectly combined. Based on the characteristic of "Wu Zetian" who dares to accept new things, I hope to show it in this work of mine. A sense of traditional majesty can simultaneously show the spirit of innovation and more fully reveal the character of "Wu Zetian."
Traditional culture needs to be protected and respected. As art creators, we need to seriously study and understand the precious heritage that history has brought to us and then use each artist's unique understanding and artistic language to express how our culture is passed on.
The mythological figures in your goddess series, such as "Artemis" and "Aphrodite," embody various aspects of femininity and spirituality. How do you philosophically interpret these archetypes in your art, and what deeper insights do you aim to convey about the multifaceted nature of womanhood and its spiritual dimensions?
In the Greek Goddess series I created, I aim to express the attitudes through the artworks of how different women face difficulties, and I may be able to change some of the women's inherent thinking. When facing challenges, some women will show a simple character like "Artemis" and a life attitude of looking forward to the future and maintaining hope in everything, while others will be like "Aphrodite." They will not let others see their weak side. Although they encounter significant setbacks, they remain calm and hide their sorrows.
Life is about having different experiences. The purpose of human existence is to go through various difficult situations to understand the true meaning of life. Many people think that every life is just pain. Well, I don't see it this way. Life is fair; there are painful and happy times, but happy memories are more straightforward to forget than painful memories. There is a saying that people can remember painful things for up to five days, while they can only remember happy things for a few hours. This statement is similar to Ebbinghaus's concept of the forgetting curve. People tend to magnify the pain. Of course, pain is difficult to overcome and painful, but it is what we must face. Some women cannot face it and choose to give up or even end their lives. Others will decide to take shortcuts to avoid the problem and still not solve it, but some women will choose to face it bravely and persevere, and they will successfully get out of the predicament.
Considering the fragile and ephemeral qualities of paper, your chosen medium, how do you confront the philosophical themes of impermanence and mortality in your work, and what reflections do you hope to evoke in your audience?
I believe that a person's life has already been arranged. Death is just an experience; it is an end, and it is also a beginning. In the Buddhist concept of reincarnation, it is mentioned that people will leave some "karma" in their previous lives in this life, and these "karma" may be good things or bad things. The route and experience of life are cyclical; that is, we are constantly challenged in this game of life repeatedly.
I am constantly exploring what tasks God wants me to perform. Although I don't quite understand how God arranges it, I always feel that the things we experience in this life are somehow related to our previous lives. Yes, the things we experience in every life are the same. The script of life has not changed. Time keeps moving forward, and our stories repeat themselves repeatedly. We might have to suffer the same suffering from our past life again in our previous lives.
Everyone should be able to change in adverse circumstances because blessings and disasters go hand in hand in a person's life. The number of hardships people encounter will bring back as many blessings to you. Sufferings seem to be a pre-test for us to see whether we deserve the upcoming good luck. At the same time, just as people say, when God closes a door, he will open another window for you. We must keep going and make changes to overcome adversity and rise to another level.
Your piece "Persephone" explores suffering, resilience, and rebirth themes. How do you philosophically approach the concept of transformation through adversity in your art, and what universal truths about the human experience do you seek to highlight through this narrative of cyclical renewal?
When Persephone first arrived in the underworld, she was not adaptable to the sudden change, but when she learned to accept the pain, she was given a chance to be reborn. This also explains the truth that when God takes away something from you, it will also give you something.
When people are in pain, they will generate significant energy and creativity. Only then will they reflect on our shortcomings and what valuable things they still have. Only when people are depressed will they understand and clarify what is the most precious thing in their life. Therefore, if people can accept pain instead of resisting it or even enjoy pain, their spirit will be sublimated, and their spiritual progress will be made.
Just as it is said in Tai Chi, the yang pole generates yin, and the yin pole generates yang; there will be a happy time even if we suffer in the most painful moments. When you are wealthy, you will also fear that others will harm you.
Influenced by the work of Yulia Brodskaya, you have developed a unique artistic voice within the realm of paper quilling. How do you philosophically balance honoring your artistic inspirations with cultivating a distinct and authentic creative identity that speaks to your vision and experiences?
Yuila's artworks are beautiful, and she inspired my paper-quilling art creation. After I saw her artwork, I started to create my paper-quilling artwork, and then I started my path of creation and kept developing my passion for art. In the following days, I gradually gained more knowledge about art and experienced many extraordinary experiences. I discovered that I could put emotions into artistic creation and express them through art. Emotions represent the era we live in and everything that happens around us. I hope that as a paper-quilling artist, I can create artworks that are different from others and break through the limitations of the art form of paper-quilling. I plan to make paper-quilling artwork more three-dimensional, breaking its inherent boundaries and further exploring the potential opportunity of two-dimensional visual art and semi-three-dimensional art. Since paper-quilling art has three-dimensional attributes, I want to make it more extreme and create the perfect paper-quilling art that is both two-dimensional and three-dimensional.
When I create my works now, I will first study the theme of creation from a historical perspective, understand the core meaning behind history, and then try to figure out the characteristics of the subject characters. I will also try to feel the characters' stories personally, such as after visiting cities related to the creative theme; I hope to express the concept of the characters in the painting more perfectly with innovative thinking to understand the idea of the creative theme truly.
Your artwork has garnered attention from both local and international collectors, bridging cultural and geographical divides. How do you philosophically understand the role of art as a universal language, and what does this imply about the potential of your work to transcend individual and collective boundaries?
My works are not targeted at audiences in a specific country or region but are open to the whole world. Art is a universal language for humankind, and the ideas it conveys are cross-regional and cross-cultural. It can be used and accepted by people all over the world. Taking my work "Wu Zetian" as an example, I hope to communicate with others through my work. Through my work, I aim to bring to all women a spirit of perseverance in facing difficulties. Everyone will encounter problems. Difficulties have no national boundaries. I want to break the language and cultural barriers through my work so that more people can pay attention to the emotional problems encountered by women and enable them to treat issues with different attitudes. I want to support them and give them the courage to move forward continuously.
Art is healing and does not distinguish between country and region. Sometimes, the artist intends to bring laughter to the audience directly through their artwork. Sometimes, the work created by the artist does not express hope or good meaning on the surface, but when the audience looks at it, they may feel psychological relief.
In "The Spirit of Eagle," you capture the essence of strength and nobility. How do you philosophically interpret the eagle's symbolism within the broader context of your art, and what insights do you offer about the human spirit's capacity for resilience, freedom, and transcendence?
In Chinese culture, the eagle symbolizes strength, courage, and the spirit of freedom, independence, and courage. It encourages people to move forward bravely when facing challenges and difficulties.
When people face fear, they may feel terrified. How should we face it? The reason why people are afraid is because of our ignorance; we don't understand the truth. We should continue to face our fear and try to contact it repeatedly. For example, if you are afraid of certain animals, you should continue facing them, understanding them, and reading more about them. The fearful mentality will slowly disappear, and you will no longer fear it. Similarly, when you encounter something complicated, you constantly think of ways to solve it and fill the understanding gap in your heart. Most of the time, when we feel fear, it is because we don't understand the truth; we can get our spiritual freedom after we overcome our fear.
The innate spirit of the eagle is to break through fear and become more independent, liberating the mind independently. The eagle is an image that represents courage, independence, and freedom. When human beings encounter challenges, they can face them bravely, face difficulties directly, and overcome them to ascend to another level and gain spiritual progress and personal independence. The spirit of the eagle is the power and ultimate victory that the eagle can bring to people.
