Travels: Works by Chung Chak & Travis Linville

June 13, 2016 - August 4, 2016

 

  • Reception: Thursday, June 16, 5-7 p.m.; Gallery Talk at 6:30
  • Music by Big Blue Stem
  • Artist Lectures:
    Thursday, July 14 at 6:30pm by Chung Chak will talk about his photography followed by an additional lecture, cosponsored by CUDO, about his graphic design work at 7:30pm. Refreshments will be served.
  • Additional Lectures:
    "Morocco: Pattern and Embellishment", Wednesday, June 29 at 11 a.m. by Chris Berti and Lisa Costello
    "The Study Abroad Experience", Tuesday, July 12 at 1 p.m. by Jody Littleton

Chung Chak, Building a Civilized World, Gwangzhou, China, archival digital print, 42" x 42", 2015Originally born in Hong Kong, Chung Chak has been teaching at The College of New Jersey since 2001 as an associate professor of graphic design. In 1991, he received a BFA in graphic design from SUNY New Paltz and in 1995 he received his MFA in graphic design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has had numerous solo exhibitions across the country.

“As an image-maker formally trained as a designer, I have found my voice,” Chak said “I view my imagery as timeless visual poetry with psychological impact, where viewers can no longer remain passive. Conceptualizing and resolving a solution is as rewarding as the seeing the result.

“I have always felt that we have very little control of our lives. Therefore, I enjoy the process of photomontage because I can randomly connect unrelated persons, events, and environments. Although my subjects may never have the chance to meet in reality, they are permanently bound within my artwork. By taking this approach, I find myself in absolute power to control and design.”

Travis Linville, a faculty member at Elgin Community College, received his BFA degree from Miami University in 1999 and an MFA from Clemson University in 2003. He has been teaching photography and other art courses at the college level since 2000, arriving at ECC in 2009.

“Though this collection of photographs is less characteristic of my typical work, it gave me the opportunity to practice photography in a different style,” Linville said. “As an educator, I am also a perpetual student and regularly seek ways to work outside my comfort zone. In this way, I expand my knowledge of my chosen field both technically and creatively and can bring those experiences back to the classroom.”


Image: Chung Chak, Building a Civilized World, Gwangzhou, China, archival digital print, 42" x 42", 2015