Meet Hazel Chen | Installation Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hazel Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hazel, why did you pursue a creative career?
Inspired by the documentary Masters in the Forbidden City, I decided to explore tangible objects, which later evolved into a fascination with installation art, driving me to explore larger spatial narratives. This transformation was both organic and profound. For example, in a recent Brooklyn exhibition, I presented an orange alongside a fabricated explanation in the catalog. This extended the artistic space beyond the display itself, fostering interaction with the audience.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is my ability to inspire others through interaction within my work. For instance, my piece Camellia, which earned fourth place at Light Space & Time Art Gallery, changes color as viewers walk around it, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.
I am honored to have received six international recognitions from three galleries in 2023: two Honorable Mention Awards from Teravarna Art Gallery, a Special Recognition and 4th Place award from Light Space & Time Art Gallery, and a Finalist Award and Honorable Mention Award from Upward Gallery. Additionally, I organized 13 exhibitions and leveraged my sculpture skills to support prop creation for two major events in Chicago.
While this journey has had its challenges, overcoming technical and conceptual obstacles has led to significant growth. Through this process, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of installation art’s power to break traditional narratives, offering audiences transformative experiences through spatial exploration and immersive visual storytelling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, I would take my friend to A Space Gallery, where I’ve contributed to curating and installing many of the exhibited sculptures and installations. Next, we’d explore other galleries and museums in the city, diving into the vibrant art scene that offers endless inspiration and engagement.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am especially grateful to two organizations. The first is A Space Gallery, which has showcased my installation work twice. During the opening receptions, I had the privilege of discussing my pieces with many accomplished artists, significantly enriching my creative career. They have also placed great trust in me, entrusting me with future responsibilities such as selecting installation-related works and leading residency programs focused on installation art.
The second is Rexhibit, a highly promising online gallery I co-founded with two other New York-based artists. Rexhibit is dedicated to making art more interactive, accessible, and entertaining. At Rexhibit’s future program, I will curate exceptional installation art from around the globe and present it to the public in ways that are creative, inspiring, and deeply meaningful.

Website: https://www.hazel-chen.com/

Instagram: qixinchen_