
Chang, Julie W
Born: 1976
Hometown: Park Ridge
Based in: San Francisco
Born: 1976
Hometown: Park Ridge
Based in: San Francisco
Julie W. Chang is a San Francisco based contemporary artist whose work investigates how identities are constructed and how (mis)understandings of both self and other might be resisted, subverted, and reimagined. Her paintings use ancient and contemporary cultural symbols to make visible hidden histories and illustrate the cultural hybridity inherent in the world. Her debut exhibition with Alisan Fine Arts Light, Space and Time in New York in 2024 featured works from two series that draw from familiar visual sources like the Chinese symbol for double happiness, the Sanskrit character for AUM, a symbol of the divine in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, alongside less prevalent sources including African mud cloth, Japanese shibori and Native American basket weavings. Migration I, II and III, for example, take their cue from the visual and technical components of weaving. Geometric forms float across the nearly monochromatic compositions—twinkling diamond forms and other patterns at times connecting and overlapping. Incorporating resin, Chang’s Talisman series are dazzling paintings composed of intricate and colorful layers. Fusing symbols of healing, wisdom, redemption, joy, enlightenment, interdependence and peace, the works are compendiums of goodwill.
Chang received her MFA from Stanford University in 2007, her BA in Sociology from Tufts University and her BFA in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 1999. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including the San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, San Jose Museum of Art, Stanford University, Transformer Gallery in Washington DC, Montserrat College of Art, Tulane University, Iowa State University and Yeditepe University in Istanbul. She was a recipient of the 2004 Murphy Cadogan Award, 2007 Headlands Center for the Arts MFA Studio Award.
Education
MFA, Stanford University
United States of America, 2007
Graduate Studies in Painting/New Genres, San Francisco Art Institute
United States of America, 2005
BFA, Painting and Printmaking, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
United States of America, 1999
BA, Sociology, Tufts University, Medford
United States of America, 1999
Parsons School of Design
France, 1998
Awards
Public Art, San Francisco Transbay Transit Center, USA
2015
Public Art Commission for Iowa State University, Iowa, USA
2013
San Francisco Arts Commission Art on Market Kiosk Poster USA
2012
Kearny Street Workshop-de Young Artist Studio Residency, USA
2010
W Hotel Commission, Washington, DC, USA
2009
MFA Studio Award, Headlands Center, Sausalito, USA
2007
Murphy Fine Arts Fellowship,San Francisco Arts Commission US
2004
Educator’s Incentive Grant, San Francisco Archdiocese, USA
2004
Surdna Fellowship, Maryland Institute of Arts Baltimore, USA
2003
Merit Scholarship, San Francisco Art Institute, CA, USA
2003
Exhibitions
Light, Space, Time, Alisan Fine Arts-New York Gallery
United States of America, 2024
Vibrant Matter, Christian Petersen Art Museum
United States of America, 2022
Detritus, San Jose ICA
United States of America, 2017
SpaceBi: Taking Up Space, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
United States of America, 2012
FAX, San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery
United States of America, 2012
Depth of Surface, San Francisco State University Fine Arts Gallery
United States of America, 2010
Present Tense Biennial: Chinese Character, Chinese Cultural Center, San Francisco
United States of America, 2009
Vital Signs, Newcomb Art Gallery, Tulane University, New Orleans
United States of America, 2008
In Pursuit of Beauty, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly,
United States of America, 2008
Close Calls 2008, Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito
United States of America, 2008
Cream from the Top, Arts Benicia
United States of America, 2007
4th International Symposium of Interactive Media, Yeditepe University, Istanbul
Turkey, 2006
Unbecoming, Thomas Welton Stanford Art Gallery
United States of America, 2006
Appropriately Yours, Transformer Gallery, Washington DC
United States of America, 2006
Murphy Cadogan Award Winners Exhibition, San Francisco Arts Commission
United States of America, 2004
Cinefemme, BRAVA Theatre Center for Women in the Arts, San Francisco
United States of America, 2002