New York / Lost and Found
Qin Shen Solo Exhibition: Lost and Found
June 13th - June 28th, 2024
Opening Reception
Feb 22nd, 6:00 PM
New York – :iidrr Gallery is proud to present New-York-based artist Qin Shen’s solo exhibition, Lost and Found, which explores the interplay between memory, culture, and identity. Qin, originally from Changshu, China, is known for her innovative use of painting, printmaking, and interactive installations to delve into the deep-seated narratives that shape our understanding of self and society.
The title Lost and Found summarizes Qin’s journey of self-discovery and identity exploration. It reflects a subtle narrative whose outcome - whether it is ultimately lost or found - remains uncertain. The exhibition delves into the complexity of identity, illustrating how the process of searching is itself an act of creation and understanding. The title as a noun symbolizes both the moment of clarity and the process of constant pursuit through the labyrinth of self-discovery, capturing the essence of an evolving personal odyssey.
Qin’s works are influenced by her engagement with the sensory and cultural elements of her surroundings. Her works act as a bridge between the past and present, reflecting a continuous exchange between individual memory and collective experience. Through various mediums, Qin reanimates objects and moments from her past, transforming them into powerful visual narratives that resonate with themes of loss, transformation, and belonging.
In this exhibition, Qin blends her personal and cultural memories into a cohesive narrative that challenges the viewer to reconsider their relationship with their own experiences. Her series of intaglio prints and paintings, for instance, reimagine the textures and forms of everyday objects with a visceral intensity, capturing the complex layers of meaning that these items accrue over time. This is particularly evident in works that transform images of familiar objects like fatty meat and washstands into intricate symbols of personal and cultural identity.
Qin's sculptures further this exploration, using materials like clay and old exam papers to construct scenes that reflect her childhood experiences and the pressures of societal expectations. A particularly poignant piece portrays a child at a desk, interwoven with relics from her past, symbolizing the weight of academic and cultural demands. This work, like many others in the exhibition, invites viewers to engage with the materiality of memory and the ways in which our pasts are continually reshaped by our present circumstances.
The silkscreen prints series “Inventory”, documents Qin's encounters with the discarded objects of New York City, reflecting on the fluid nature of identity in the context of consumerism. These vibrant prints, inspired by the city’s “stooping culture,” serve as a metaphor for the transient and mutable nature of personal and cultural identity, resonating with the themes of displacement and adaptation that are central to Qin’s work.
The exhibition also includes a series of UV-printed plexiglass and handmade honeysuckle paper works that explore the delicate balance between newcomers and locals in a new environment. These pieces, which depict intertwined images of honeysuckle and rose shrubs, symbolize the complex and often precarious relationships that emerge in multicultural settings. The works capture the tension between integration and preservation, reflecting Qin’s own experiences of navigating different cultural landscapes.
:iidrr invites viewers to experience Lost and Found, an exploration of memory, identity, and cultural narratives through the eyes of a remarkable young artist. Qin’s works offer a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the ways in which our histories and environments shape who we are, encouraging a deeper reflection on the interconnectedness of personal and collective identity.
The exhibition will be on view from June 13 - June 28, 2024. An opening reception will be held on June 13, 6-9 PM, with the artist in attendance.
