New artist gallery at CSB explores Chinese American identity and history

A new exhibit has opened in the Gorecki Gallery at CSB. Anika Schneider, a Chinese-American Minneapolis based artist, has been invited to showcase her work at the artist’s gallery in the Benedicta Arts Center.

The exhibit is called “Double Consciousness, Double Happiness.”

“Double consciousness is a social philosophy originally describing the experience of Black Americans post-slavery,” Schneider said. “In making this exhibition, I reflect upon how my understanding of my own Chinese identity is often shaped through others’ perception of me. Double happiness, 囍, visually resembles 88 making it particularly auspicious for Chinese people. While there is loss and cultural nostalgia in this work, there are also moments of humor for the joy of growing up in a messy mixed immigrant family.”

Schneider’s thesis takes form through many different mediums. She portrays herself in dry point etching on large canvases in different backgrounds and environments. She uses specific wallpaper patterns to make hanging paper lantern type structures. Finally, she portrays food and other important scenes through ceramics.

Schneider explained to the Fine Arts Programming campus writer that much of the influence for these pieces came from something called Chinoiserie, a European aesthetic from the 1700s that imitated artistic expression seen throughout China. She discusses how it was based on European interpretation of what Chinese culture was and would today be seen as cultural appropriation.

“I relate a lot to that concept because I am Chinese, but I’m not,” Schneider said. “It’s my background and tradition, but I wouldn’t be considered Chinese by those who grew up in China.”

Becky Pflueger, the gallery manager, says she first heard about Schneider from a coworker a few years ago and visited her website.

“Her unique way of talking about her cultural identity and way of subverting and reclaiming her identity from historical concepts and others’ viewpoints, I thought would resonate with students, faculty and staff on the campuses,” Pflueger said.

“I love Anika’s color choices and use of multiple mediums in her work; it creates a lot of fun layers to her art and opens the show up to a larger audience.”

Megan Novak, a senior art major and gallery assistant, shared that the gallery always has something new in the space.

“Galleries are unique places where we can have some really important conversations about life and the world around us in a non-intimidating way because we’re using art as a way to focus in and structure our conversations around,” Novak said.

Novak expressed appreciation for the exhibit’s exploration of identity, which she believes is something everyone can relate to.

“Something I really like about this show is the way joy and humor can come along with these very serious conversations of life’s loss, pain and messiness,” Novak said.

The exhibit’s themes and mediums bring variety and important messages, as expressed by the artist as well as those working in the gallery.

“I hope viewers will walk away questioning their own biases and how they influence how we interact with each other, Pflueger said. “Also, I hope visitors to the show will think about food and how it is such an important part of our lives, how a good meal can change so many things and bridge language barriers to bring people and families together.”

Novak echoed these sentiments regarding identity.

“I hope those who stop by have fun walking around the space and discover something new or surprising about the world or about themselves. This goes for all the exhibits, really,” she said.

The exhibit opened on Monday, and will remain open for six weeks, until Dec. 7. Pflueger shared there will be a reception for the show on Nov. 7 from 5 p.m. to –7 p.m., with an artist’s talk at 6 p.m. This event will count as an AR-approved event under the Integrations Curriculum. More information can be found on the gallery website.