Jean Chiang's work is inspired by her interests in anthropology, archaeology, architecture, astrology and metaphysics. Chiang began to investigate Chinese history, culture and philosophy and her personal family history became a subject of examination. This research became a source of inspiration for her artwork since 2001.

Chiang has been exhibiting nationally and internationally since the 1970's and is in private and public collections.

As a recipient of a Fulbright Teach/ Research Award 2012, Chiang worked with students at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. Chiang, also, continued her research on the emigration of Chinese women to Jamaica and the Caribbean.

"A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step."
Lao Tzu (604 BC--531 BC)

Step by Step...c. 2007...10" w x 14" h
acrylic, embroidery, beading on canvas

This piece was inspired by a woodblock print of the Ming Dynasty in 1444, titled "The Pacing of Yu from Secret Essentials...". The Pace of Yu is a Taoist ritual dance, named for a mythic emperor, the origin tracing back to 475 BC--220 AD. The priest would take a step, each step accompanied by an incantation, a prayer and upon reaching the center would have entered a state of nothingness. This is the first known record of a labyrinth.

An interactive installation, Step by Step... was created in Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Miami, FL in 2007, in a space 15' W x 27' L. The participant was invited to enter the space, alone, on this meditation walk.

All text and images are subject to international copyright laws and are the property of Jean Chiang c.2001-2020. No image or text may be reproduced, copied, stored, manipulated or used whole or in part of a derivative work, without the written permission of Jean Chiang.
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