Thursday 6th February
Doors open 6.30 for a 7pm start
Our 20×20 artist talks return to Art Space on the 6th February with ASP members Chen Chien-Yu, Isis Selmikaitis and our newly appointed Trustee Lucy Ashton.
Chen Chien-Yu
Chen Chien-Yu, a painter from Taiwan, is currently based in Portsmouth. She observes the details of the environment around her and uses it to reflect on the internal space. She collects the images of the places she’s been to, using them to overlap, integrate, destroy, and reconstruct. She is creating weird, dreamlike and unrealistic spaces, even a little bit claustrophobic.
In her paintings, there are mirrors and paintings hanging on the walls, corridors that lead to other spaces and furniture in unusual places. These could be implying emotions, memories and dreams.
Isis Selmikaitis
Isis Selmikaitis is a Brazilian artist based in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, her work weaves together her cultural heritage, personal narrative, and social critique. Through her vibrant paintings, sculptures, and installations, Selmikaitis investigates themes of identity, femininity, and the human condition.
Drawing on her Brazilian roots, Selmikaitis infuses her art with colours, textures, and symbols that reflect the cultural tapestry of her homeland. Feminism serves as a crux of her artistic vision by challenging social norms and re-examining the representation of women.
Selmikaitis’ art is deeply intertwined with her lived experience, serving as a channel for emotional expression and introspection. Many of the pieces serve as unfiltered reflections of her inner world, where authenticity and emotion are released freely and spontaneously.
Lucy Ashton
Lucy Ashton is currently working towards her PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Portsmouth, exploring how writing evokes empathy and imagination, and investigating the power of story-telling for building and strengthening communities. Lucy also works as a freelance writer and artist. She is passionate about intersectional inclusion in her practice and her work with others, and supports people to express their identities through creative writing and visual art.