Shijia Chen’s most recent series, “After Picasso” realizes the master’s figurative paintings in sheet metal.
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In Chen’s “Guernica, After Picasso” the horror of war that Picasso painted is re-created with rugged, rigid sheet metal that has been hammered out, sliced, chopped and cut to form a three-dimensional composition hanging that has sharp edges, mangled body parts, twisted metal, limp figures and opened mouths seeming to screech into the air. 

These visceral components are juxtaposed with the shining, shimmering and glowing gold leaf sprinkled thoughout the composition.  At the center bottom of the painting, a poignant and powerful deep red and yellow flower in full bloom is being clutched by a disembodied hand that is also holding a sword.