Yen-Shiang Chen
Flower Vase, 3-D Printed Nylon and Photopolymer, 2011, 4x 10.5 x 6.25 inches
Candle Holder, 3-D Printed Nylon and Photopolymer, 2011, 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 inches
Aritst Statement
When I was a young girl my mother told me a story. . .
There once was a man who was unkempt and negligent in the upkeep of his home. His dwelling was disorganized, messy and uninspiring. One day his friend gave him a bunch of beautiful flowers to bring home. When he returned home, he found that his environment did not match up with his flowers. The man began cleaning his vase, his table, his living room and so on. In the end, his home became organized and he had a new outlook on his life.
This story has stuck with me throughout my life and has influenced my way of living as well as my approach to my work.
Currently, my work is derived from the meaning behind the flowers in the story. As a designer, my objective is to make products that bring joy to people's everyday life, provide them with a new point of view, and assist in the organization of their personal space. Finding beautiful, aesthetically engaging iterations of such objects is a crucial aspect in their function. I view my pursuit of product design as a natural way to implement this objective, while at the same time, exploring and utilizing the inherent connection between maker and user that is present in every utilitarian object.
My forms are inspired by my culture. This inspiration can be found throughout my entire body of work. Traditional flower arrangement, teapot sets and Chinese candy boxes are all examples of form and culture that have inspired my work. Their beauty lies in their connection with my personal experiences. These forms represent and reference the tradition of my culture and who I am. I view each product that I design as a mode of communicating and sharing my memories and personal recognitions with each user.