Chase Barney | Too Much of a Good Thing is Wonderful

Chase Barney’s Too Much of a Good Thing is Wonderful presents sculptural experiences of the people that have formed his identity over the years, a blend of still life and portraiture all through the lens of ceramics. These objects become sketches that inhabit a place that doesn’t exist, only in remembrances of how these people, places and things have contributed to Barney’s sense of self. Stereotypes, celebrity, beauty and adornment are common themes throughout his work, the people that inspire these still lives frequently aren’t really known to Barney, ranging from celebrities to nameless sex partners.
 

Chase Barney is a fiscal year 2020 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
 

Pao Her is Barney’s mentor, a Soo Visual Arts Center curatorial panelist and acclaimed artist. Pao Her is the subject, maker, and gatherer of her photographic work. Employing different vernaculars of photography, she investigates the idea of desire within the Hmong community from both her personal and cultural consciousness. Her’s work has been exhibited in both solo and group shows across the United States and received several grants and fellowships. She has a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a MFA from Yale University.
 

Note: The July 26th virtual reception will take place via Instagram live. To participate, follow SooVAC on Instagram and watch for the LIVE notification around 7PM CST.