Q and A with Tiffany Chen

An Interview with Advocate Member, Tiffany Chen

Tim Brown, Hillyer Director (TB):

Tell us about yourself. What is your profession and/or areas of interest?

Tiffany Chen (TC):

My profession is so DC! 

I’m a federal government consultant. With two different business degrees (logistics, and international financial management), my day-to-day is focused on technical account management. 

My personal interests are mainly the arts (collecting and creating), as well as my adorable puppy Ernest “Ernie” Hemingway, who is the cutest.

(TB):

You are an avid art collector. What kind of art do you collect?

(TC):

My art collecting began simply because I love art. 

Attending the art fairs in New York: the Amory, Frieze, TEFAF, plus Art Basel, Art Basel Miami, Design Week Vienna, Venice Biennale, I began by acquiring pieces that caught my eye, but lacked a larger theme or purpose. 

In 2018, while visiting the National Museum of Women in the Arts, I learned that 87% of all the artwork in American art museums were created by men! 

That day, I decided to only collect from living female artists.

I began with signed originals, prints, and books from my favorite, established female artists, such as Judy Chicago and Donna Huanca. 

Luckily, many of my closest friends are also amazing emerging artists! 

Lillian Ling (poetry, multi-media embroidery, and graphic design), Sunbin Song (performance and multimedia), and Shannon Stichman (oil paintings), all create spectacular works, which I am blessed enough to sneak-peek and call dibs!

(TB):

You have acquired some artworks from Hillyer artists over the past year. Can you tell us what inspired you about those pieces?

(TC):

Thus far in 2023, I have acquired two pieces from Hillyer artists: the first from Elaine M. Erne and most recently, from Katherine Burling. 

Elaine M. Erne’s pencil drawings are extraordinary, simultaneously other-worldly and every day; all meticulously hand-drawn, eerie, and brilliant. Her Instagram name is “lovedrawingbunnies” so Erne’s “Lovely Bunny” had to come home with me. 

Katherine Burling’s mixed-media collages instantly drew me in at First Friday, where we spoke candidly about her art inspiration and creation. I love that her works are historical yet modern, appealingly comforting but deeply dark.

Both artists’ works portray different aspects of what it means to be a modern woman, a question I ask myself constantly. As an only child and only daughter, I find solace in this artistic sisterhood. 

 

(TB):

When did you first hear about Hillyer?

(TC):

The Hillyer displayed itself to me as the Sphynx appears in the myths: by luck. 

In college, I was fortunate to have had an amazing honors architecture professor, who opened the city’s doors to me. As such, Washington, D.C. was a familiar friend and I adored visiting the Phillips Collection for hours and hours. 

Before one of these adorations, I happened to walk behind the carriage house, and there was the Hillyer! I walked in and was immediately impressed by the gallery’s dedication to curating and supporting emerging artists, and have returned every since… so for nearly 20 years.

(TB):

Why did you decide to become a member?

(TC):

At this point in my life, I am old enough, and brave enough, to know what I like. 

I like the Hillyer! 

From the amazing art, to the gallery space, to the people who breathe life into the organization, I feel at home here. Maybe because I’ve been hanging around the Hillyer for over a decade!

(TB):

If you had to describe Hillyer to a friend or stranger, what would you tell them?

(TC):

The Hillyer is a hidden gem.

“Selling” the Hillyer is easy. Centrally located in DuPont, the Hillyer is the perfect locale for my friends from all over the city to meet-up and experience amazing emerging art in a beautiful space, at one’s own pace. With a consistently full calendar of programs and events, the Hillyer combines beauty, ease, and comfort. An absolute dream!