Yu-Chen Wang: Workshops, Taiwanese Tea Parties, Artist Breakfast Clubs and that's just for Starters

About

Working primarily in drawing and video, Yu-Chen's practice explores the notion of representation, distortion and transformation. She is curious about the subject of everyday objects and surroundings and how she can add individual elements to these to transform them into something extraordinary. Yu-Chen's drawings hold a heavy focus on exploring the possibilities of line, shape and shading as another dimension to space, rather than merely depictions of objects and places.

During her residency at Chinese Arts Centre she will be focusing on this architectural approach to space, creating interventions in a new drawing installation and video work, linking directly to Manchester's industrial past and contemporary urban landscape. Yu'Chen hopes to visit industrial buildings such as abandoned cotton mills and warehouses and will use these site visits to form the basis of her research. Some of these mills have now become artist studios and Yu-Chen herself will be exchanging a studio with a local artist as part of her research into the city!

As part of this research Yu-Chen is keen to meet with the public to hear their opinions and memories of Manchester's industrial past. Perhaps a relative of yours had worked in an old textile mill, perhaps you have old photographs of people and places during the industrial revolution period or perhaps you just have a personal idea of what the city might have been like back then and want to share your thoughts? Well Yu-Chen would love to hear more, and is offering an exchange of ideas and knowledge in the form of a Taiwanese Tea Party!

Open to the public on the Saturday 26th February 1-3pm Yu-Chen will 'share her knowledge in Taiwanese Tea Ceremony to the public and
in exchange the local residents can bring materials, such as photographs or stories about Manchester's cotton mill and industry'.

This event is free to the public but booking is required, email elizabeth.wewiora@chinese-arts-centre.org for more details.

Yu-Chen will also be offering a number of other very unique opportunities including a free Breakfast club for local artists and paid contemporary drawing workshops for school and college groups.

The breakfast clubs will take place throughout the residency period, where food, thoughts and art can be shared amongst Yu-Chen and any interested artists in the area.

The School/ College workshops can take place either in the centre or out at your own venue and Yu-Chen can work across a range of age groups. Yu-Chen is only in the region for 3months so book her whilst you can!

To bring all these elements of Yu-Chen's residency together the artist will be showcasing the ideas and work developed here in an Open Studio between 11 ' 14 May, which is open to the public. Yu-Chen will be present to answer any questions about her work during this time.

So come on down to share your thoughts and stories about Manchester's great history and taste some Taiwanese own history, with a traditional tea ceremony with the artist!