Metaphors of ‘treasure and excrement’ in Yi-Hsin Tzeng’s Flow at SCAD

In the artwork of Yi-Hsin Tzeng, we’re given only a mere glimpse of deviance. Hands grope suggestively beneath zippers. Figures croon in what either could be a familial embrace, or an incriminating snapshot of a pedophile in action. Yet these tiny scenes are only a fraction of the experience of Flow.

In her collection of three-dimensional paintings, the artist makes a thematic connection between human desire and abstract media — swirls of pink and orange, complimented by biomorphic gobs of foam. Each work symbolizes the comedy of the human body, and the daydreams it often inspires. The metaphor of bodily fluids continues in several sculptural installations, where ectoplasmic “flows” crawl over the walls and spill onto the floor. Flow is a candy that’s also excrement.

The artist’s reception will be held Thurs. July 23 from 6-8 p.m. at Trois Gallery, located on the main campus SCAD-Atlanta (1600 Peachtree). Tzeng will return to the gallery Sat. July 25 at 12:15 p.m. to deliver a “lunchtime gallery talk” about her work. Flow will remain on view through July 31.

Meanwhile, here’s a Flickr set dedicated to Flow, as well as other works created during Tzeng’s 2008 residency at the Elizabeth Foundation in NYC.

(Photo courtesy the artist)