Chen Gao is a Chinese interdisciplinary artist, designer and educator. She earned her MFA in 2D Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Previously, she taught at Coker University, SC, and the School of Art + Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Her practice encompasses a diverse range of mediums, including experimental graphic design, photography, free drawing, sound, poetry, performative installations, and land art. Gao often incorporates locally sourced materials to foster connections between herself and the surrounding environment, to find connections between self and outside environment. Recently, she has focused on textiles and collectible local materials, such as handpicked cotton, utilizing their tactile qualities to evoke nostalgia and memories in her installations. She views her work as an act of self-expression that empowers others, constructing spaces where audiences engage when they feel ready.
Gao’s work has been showcased in national and international exhibitions, such as the Mint Museum in NC, the CICA Museum in South Korea, the Griffin Museum of Photography in MA, the Surface Design Association, Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, Tiger Strikes Asteroid Greenville in SC, and iidrr Gallery in NYC, connecting with diverse audiences worldwide. Her accolades include artist residencies such as the ecoSuites Art Residency in Greece and the upcoming 2026 Chateau d’Orquevaux Artists Residency in France, highlighting her commitment to eco-conscious practices. Her works have been added to the collections of the CICA Museum and ecoSuites.
Her work has also been featured in publications such as Canvas Rebel, VoyageLA, Bold Magazine, Blurb, and Insight of an Eco Artist. Additionally, Gao has served as a panelist for Artists 360 – Mid-America Arts Alliance, City of San Diego Department of Cultural Affairs, and is a member of the International Program Committee for the International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2025). She remains dedicated to integrating her professional studio practice with her passion for art education.
