Chen’s process for making work comes out of his daily practice of walking in and photographing unfamiliar places, such as the streets of small towns and cities, parks, and the interiors of buildings. Throughout the work, there is a repetition of motifs, visualizing the contradiction between the old memories and his current reality. This practice reminds Chen of his early experiences living in the United States.
Yiyun's photographs and photobooks have been exhibited in Wausau MOCA, Zanesville Museum of Art, Ohio University, Indiana University Kokomo, Malone University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Lakeland Community College, Colorado Photographic Arts Center in Denver, Ann Arbor Art Center, Gallery 263 in Cambridge, Rosewood Arts Center, PH21 gallery in Hungary, and Loosen Art Gallery in Italy, etc. Chen’s works could also be seen as part of the collections in Cleveland Art Association, GAR, Foundation, Mandel Foundation, Rochester Institute of Technology and Cleveland State University.
