Artist Bio:
Stella Chang was born in San Jose, California and grew up between the U.S., Taiwan, and Canada. In 2003, she attended New York University, where she studied studio art under the guidance of video art pioneer Peter Campus and American painter Keith Mayerson. In 2006, she received her BFA but temporarily set aside her artistic pursuits to design fashion handbags for renowned brands including KateSpade, Rag&Bone, and Coach, among others. In 2012, Stella received a letter of recognition from the queen of fashion herself, Anna Wintour. Just when she thought her path was clear, Stella encountered a significant autoimmune health challenge in 2021 ,which compelled her to leave behind a thriving fashion career spanning almost two decades. The subsequent two years were filled with visits to numerous specialists in search of a diagnosis. During this trying period, Stella rediscovered the therapeutic power of painting as a means to calm her mind and self-manage chronic pain. To maintain her sanity, she defaulted to her creative roots and embarked on artistic experimentation by exploring arange of mediums including watercolor ,ink, illustration, digital art, and 3D printing. Through these diverse forms of expression, she started creating visual narratives seeking to transcend the constraints of trends and seasons. Many of her stories now convey messages of light and hope, while others emerged from experiences off ear, despair, perseverance, and the will to live. Throughout her journey, Stella was astounded by a profound resonance with her work that people started sharing with her at art fairs and pop-ups. This inspired her to dedicate her life to crafting visual narratives that invited audiences to examine their paths forgetting through their own life challenges. After two arduous years in pursuit of a diagnosis, Stella finally found a Rheumatologist who refused to give up. In March 2023, she was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorder which has since worsened to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or Lupus in August. Responding positively to her treatment, Stella’s creative process is now firmly grounded in Charles Kettering’s quote: ” Imagination is the only limitation.”
Artist Statement:
I’m an artist who embraces imperfection and redefines beauty through my work, drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese practice of Kintsugi. In 2021, my life took a dramatic turn when a massive Lupus flare-up forced me to abandon my fashion career and confront my mortality. I transitioned from a driven creative professional to a person battling chronic illness.
During this challenging period, I stumbled upon a NHK documentary about Japanese Kintsugi artisans. These skilled craftsmen mend broken ceramics with precious metals like gold, platinum, or silver, transforming flaws and damages into histories and memories treasured by their owners. This philosophy aligns with wabi-sabi, the Japanese acceptance of imperfection as part of an object’s narrative.
In my own creative journey, I echo Kintsugi’s spirit. I don’t seek perfection in my art; instead, I employ diverse mediums such as watercolor, ink, digital rendering, and 3D printing to craft narratives that transcend superficial beauty. My work is an attempt to mend and redefine myself, moving beyond what I’ve lost due to illness.
Like Kintsugi, I transform perceived imperfections into powerful stories, giving new meaning to the objects of my art. I create a unique beauty that arises from the acceptance of flaws, much like my personal journey of embracing imperfection and creating something beautiful out of life’s cracks.