FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 25, 2006

CONTACT: Phillip Chen, (515) 271-3160, phillip.chen@drake.edu
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE PROF RECEIVES TIFFANY FOUNDATION BIENNIAL AWARD

Drake University art professor Phillip Chen is one of 30 visual artists nationwide selected to receive a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation 2005 Biennial Competition Award of $20,000 based on their talent, promise and individual artistic strength.

Chen was among those chosen from nominees proposed by the foundation’s trustees, previous recipients, artists, critics and museum professionals throughout the United States. This year, 409 submissions were reviewed by a seven-person jury that included New York gallery owner Angela Westwater and artists Charles LeDray, Martin Puryear and Cindy Sherman.

The artist is enthused that the Tiffany Award is for his print work rather than painting or drawing.

“‘Highart’ culture has traditionally categorized multiples as less desirable than quantitatively singular works that are solely possessed by the privileged individual,” Chen said. “I am most pleased that my primary creative medium — printmaking — has been amply acknowledged.”

The Louis Comfort Tiffany Biennial Award, which comes without restrictions of any kind, was named after the son of the founder of the famous New York jewelry store Tiffany & Co. Louis Comfort Tiffany was a painter, interior decorator and renowned innovator in the design of glass objects and windows.

Chen said his wife, Lenore, and their children, Cora and Shaye, are enjoying the prospects of making a charitable contribution. “This will be a family decision,” he said.

He added that he would like to use the remainder of the funds for a publication project.

The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts has offered to match funds for the production of a book of Chen’s prints accompanied by commissioned text.

“I am indebted to a family of Drake colleagues, departmental and college-wide, whose scholarly and creative work has set admirable standards for my future endeavors,” Chen added.

Chen’s artwork has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, Drake University and Friends of Drake Arts. His prints have been exhibited widely and are held by numerous museum, university and private collections.
This spring, Chen’s work will be proposed to the acquisition committee of The Museum of Modern Art for inclusion in its permanent collection of prints and illustrated books.

Chen is represented by Nicola Rukaj Gallery in Toronto, Canada, Roger Ramsay Gallery in Chicago and Karolyn Sherwood Gallery in Des Moines.

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