Sijia Chen (born in Shantou, China, lives and works in Los Angeles) is a multimedia artist recognized for her papercut collages and large-scale sculptures. Her work explores themes of cultural identity, collective memory, and the impact of human displacement, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques. Central to Chen’s practice is a social engagement practice through which she collaborates with communities to create a dialogue between personal narratives and shared histories.

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Using materials of personal and cultural significance—such as government forms, menus, and photographs—Chen constructs intricate papercut collages that narrate the complexities of migration and identity. These works reflect her belief that materials carry memories and meanings that transcend their physical form. After outlining drawings of mountain ranges that are culturally significant to her,  Chen layers papercuts onto canvas, repeating processes of gluing, sanding, and tearing. This approach reinterprets the Chinese idiom “Cross the Water and Climb the Mountains” (“Ba Shan She Shui”), capturing the aspirations and challenges that accompany human displacement, and continually redefining the medium of painting.

 

Chen’s sculptural works incorporate community-sourced visuals, transforming public input into visual expressions that preserve both individual and collective experiences. These projects emphasize shared humanity within multicultural communities, fostering connections and mutual understanding.

 

Born in Shantou, China, Chen moved to Guangzhou at age 15 on her own, later relocating to Philadelphia before settling in Los Angeles. She learned the art of papercutting from her father, who was taught by his aunt. Chen received her B.A. from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and her M.F.A. from Tyler School of Art at Temple University.

 

Chen’s work is in collections including Victoria and Albert Museum, Inside-Out Art Museum, Guangdong Art Museum, GAFA Art Museum, and the Art Museum of Shantou University. Permanent installations of her public art projects can be found in spaces like Seattle International Airport, Chaoshan International Airport, and Shantou International Convention Center, as well as cities including Santa Monica, Portsmouth, Wichita, North Kansas City, and Claremont in the U.S., and Guangzhou, Shantou, and Jieyang in China.