THINK AGAIN
A great deal of my time was spent on thinking because thinking is the best way of taking care of yourself. Thinking allows you to create and escape; it also teaches you to be self-reliant, to be independent and happy.
Stars 2017 Copyright May Chen Mei Photographed by Joanne Garcia
Stars are beautiful; they are brilliantly diverse, stress-free, and they are in the moment.
May Chen Mei at Culver City in 2017
May is an artist, designer, writer, and architect. She uses simple shapes, texture, and forms to create layers of visual dialogue which often speak of the conflict and confusion reflecting our society.
May has appeared in on Cox Cable Network Interview: ART EXHIBITION Palos Verdes, CA., Los Angeles Times "Ethnopolis," San Francisco Examiner, California Apartment Journal, China Daily News – Asia, Nan Hua Daily News – Asia. She has is the recipient of the following awards: "Apartment of the Future" International Award First Place; California Apartment Association, Los Angeles Pershing Square International Urban Design Competition, Honorary Mention; American Planning Association Social Advocacy Award, Los Angeles.
May grew up with her Grandparents and was profoundly influenced by her Grandfather, a Daoism Scholar, and an International Poet. He instilled in her a free thinking perspective of the world and encouraged her to explore the art of "Making" by abstracting visual elements through the narration of storytelling. May started reciting Chinese Poetry and writing poetry at an early age and continued her poetry writing. Her poetic narratives are often evident in her artworks. May was born and raised in Taiwan and lived in Canada during her teen years; she is currently residing in Venice Beach, California.
May volunteer as a community service advisor for high school students in the Los Angeles area and is an advocate for the Homeless communities. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, walking, and reading. May attended Art Center College of Design and Southern California Institute of Architecture.
City 2012 Copyright May Chen Mei Machemi Gallery @ Machemi.com photographed by Joanne Garcia
Acrylics on Canvas 36" x 36"
City was a representation of a thriving urban life, the diagram of a city which celebrates it's growth and its ambiguity.
Big Face 2017 Copyright May Chen Mei Machemi Gallery @ Machemi.com Photographed by Joanne Garcia
Acrylics on Canvas 48" x 48"
The smile was repeated inside the many small letters and the face was disjointed by the bright colors, The fragmented emotions was masked by the smile.
I started sketching for my own house in Venice in 1988; a concept later developed into a multi-leveled home for us. I thought due to the narrow lot that we had, fragmented pieces of shape came to mind and it not only solidified a design that created many private spaces in the house but allowed for vertical openness throughout the house.
Universes 2017 Copyright May Chen Mei Machemi Gallery @ machemi.com Photographed by Joanne Garcia
Acrylics on canvas 48" x 48"
When I was a child, my favorite thing to do was lying on the hillside and watching the sky constantly moving, the sun and the star go hand in hand, my vision of the universe was pure and simple, undisturbed, untouched. During my teens, I realized that the Universe was a mess of chaos and confusion. I always tried find orders within the many turmoil, sadness and disappointments in my universe.
I was in the hospital for an extended stay recuperating from a big car accident in my early 20's; drawing became my best friend, I think it also helped me through the trauma a lot easier. During my stay, there was a nurse who took care of me and brought me drawing papers every day; that was when I realized that humanity was everywhere, also from people you never expected to visit and comfort you. She would cheer me up by asking me to draw portraits of her; she was an amazing human being!
Black, white and grays sketch, 1995 Copyright May Chen Mei Photographed by Joanne Garcia
Urban spaces are most exciting and emotional. One must experience it through slow walking, exploring and be always aware of the surroundings. My favorite spaces are pathways with trees on both sides, small building and seeing few pedestrians chatting together along the way.
Fish 2014 Copyright May Chen Mei Machemi Gllery @ Machemi.com
Digital Print 69" x 26"
Fish was inspired by the ocean I visited when I was young, when I saw this blue fish tumbling in the water, years later I visited the same ocean and saw the ocean polluted with many dead fish washed ashore.