The Inpost Artspace is pleased to announce Night Navigation, a selection of inter-connected artworks from 2013 to the present, by Derek Chan. The artworks in Night Navigation look to celestial phenomena as a guiding force during uncertain times. The exhibition features recent acrylic paintings on panel inspired by rare cosmic and geological events amidst the speed and rate of change of modern life. Also included, are three mixed-media banner pieces on amate bark paper from 2013 and updated in 2018. These banners draw influence from the Dresden Codex; the oldest surviving book of the Americas. Within the book, the pre-Columbian Maya peoples recorded their observations of lunar phenomena, planetary cycles and other astronomical occurrences. These observations were aided by the Maya peoples fully developed written and numerical system. It is this numerical system in which Chan’s banner pieces reference and re-interpret through modern day glyphs. A recent element in his work is the symbol of the labyrinth. The act of following or creating a labyrinth is thought by some to be a balancing and healing practice. The exhibition will also include an interactive element and short animation.
Derek is a visual artist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was born in Berkeley, California. He received a BA from the University of California, Los Angeles and later an MFA from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Participating as a Monastic-monk, Derek worked in collaboration with Chicago artist and urban planner Theaster Gates, for Gates’ contribution to the 2010 Whitney Biennial. In 2013, Derek participated in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. His work has been exhibited at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Carrie Secrist Gallery, the Roswell Museum and Art Center, the Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe and David Richard Gallery among others. In 2018, he will have work on view in the Living Architecture exhibition at 6018 North, Chicago. Derek is adjunct instructor of drawing at the University of New Mexico for the Fall 2018 semester.
Artist Reception: First Friday, November 2, 2018 // 5 – 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: October 29 – December 1, 2018
Exhibition may be viewed during the reception, Outpost performances, box office hours, (M-F 2-5:30pm), and by appointment. Gallery is FREE of charge.