Into Aka Chen’s Eternal Garden

Step into the Eternal Garden at the Bowers Museum, where acclaimed Taiwanese artist Aka Chen unveils his highly anticipated titanium art. Running from November 16, 2024, to April 13, 2025, the exhibition highlights Chen’s ability to transform titanium—a metal celebrated for its strength and brilliance—into refined artworks that beautifully fuse classical Chinese aesthetics with modern craftsmanship.

Born in 1965, Aka Chen has earned recognition for his pioneering work with titanium, a material rarely associated with fine art. Since founding his jewelry studio, AKACHEN, in Taipei in 1989, Chen has carved out a distinct artistic voice that resonates deeply with Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. These traditional wisdoms form the very soul of his creative vision, enriching his work with a rare depth that goes beyond simple craftsmanship.

Chen’s sculptures are more than mere objects; they are meditations in physical form—each piece channeling the tranquility of nature and the disciplined mastery of human hand. When viewed, they emanate a quiet energy—an almost palpable sense of balance and harmony—emerging from each carefully considered line, curve, and texture.

This exhibition features 20 sculptures that range from elegant vases to large-scale polyptychs spanning 30 feet. Each piece recalls the spirit of traditional Chinese brush paintings, with fluid compositions of branches, flowers, and small creatures, all rendered entirely in titanium. These intricate designs evoke the classical gardens of Chinese culture, spaces not only of beauty but also of profound symbolism—sanctuaries for contemplation, intellectual pursuit, and spiritual awakening. Through his work, Chen reimagines these timeless motifs, offering a powerful reminder of the deep bond between art, nature, and personal growth.

Titanium is a notoriously difficult material to work with, yet Chen has mastered through innovative techniques. Using specialized tools, he sculpts the metal underwater and subjects it to extreme heat, allowing its surface to develop a luminous, iridescent sheen. This method, combined with the meticulous incorporation of gemstones, amplifies the naturalistic beauty of his pieces. The result is a mesmerizing interplay of light and color that recalls the glisten of morning dew, the soft movement of sunlight through foliage, or the shifting brilliance of a butterfly’s wings. These subtle, dynamic effects breathe life into Chen’s sculptures, imbuing them with a vivid, almost magical quality that draws the viewer in.

Despite the complexity of his techniques and the luxurious materials he employs, Chen’s sculptures are, paradoxically, grounded in simplicity and calm. Influenced by his daily rituals of gardening and meditation, his art invites viewers to pause and reflect. In a world of constant motion and distraction, Chen’s creations offer a rare moment of stillness—a chance to reconnect with natural rhythms and rediscover the beauty that often goes unnoticed.

The Eternal Garden is made possible with support from the Taiwan Academy of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, the Ministry of Culture (Taiwan), Anne and Long Shung Shih, and AUO Display Plus America Corporation. Visitors can experience the unique effects of Chen’s titanium and gemstone sculptures, where nature and artistry converge in surprising and memorable ways.