Artist Spotlight

Julie Chen

Book artist and printmaker, Julie Chen of Berkeley, California was first drawn to the book arts after receiving her degree in printmaking. She entered the book arts program at Mills College in 1984 and from there things have never been the same. Chen became an associate professor and has been teaching at Mills since 1996. For over twenty years, she has published limited edition artist books at Flying Fish Press, a print house she established in 1987, in Berkeley.

Chen works like a conceptual artist, allowing an idea to determine its form and content of her pieces. She often uses original writings and three-dimensional paper techniques, "holding embedded messages to be discovered and journeys to be taken, in form and text. I have become increasingly interested in exploring the time-based aspects inherent in the book form—the turning of the page is an enduring fascination for me, and one of the book form's most singular features.”

Julie Chen was featured in Craft in America, a PBS television series, this past October. Today, Chen's books are considered exceptional for their craft and quality. She regularly gives lectures on bookmaking and teaches workshops in cities across the nation, including Oregon College of Arts and Crafts in Portland, Oregon.

When you come in to see The Assignment , be sure to take a close look at Chen's piece, Personal Topology. Her books are in very high demand, and this is a great opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind book by this very popular and inspiring artist.