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Dr. Chang and his family live in Austin, Texas. His works include sculptures made from wood and other natural objects. Earlier works were crystalline or random. Later organic integrated
curves and spirals evolved into complex surfaces and forms. The equations
represented may take longer to solve than the forms took to make.
Most of Dr. Chang's art is designed to be displayed hanging from the
ceiling. Natural materials used in his work include: sea shells,
driftwood, insects (especially butterflies and moths), egg shells, and feathers.
Small sea shell mobiles can be completed in a few hours. Some pieces have
taken years to complete.
Feather and stick gliders fly with a toss like a dart or can be flown
with a telescopic rod and line. A fascinating toy like a cross between a
yo-yo and kite (no wind required). Each glider has its own unique flight
characteristics of lift, pitch and yaw.
To draw on eggshells, the eggs are broken in half, emptied and resealed.
Using hand stress, a fracture line is induced around the equator of the
shell. The most challenging moment is pulling the two halves far enough
apart to cut or tear the membrane without crushing the shell. Few survive
this event. For those that do separate into only two pieces, the halves
will fit perfectly since no molecules are removed as can occur with sawing
or drilling. There is no hole in the final product. After drying for a
few weeks the surface is sanded smooth and using a special chinese lacquer
ink & steel calligraphy pen, the eggshell surface is drawn in sections.
Each section can take up to two weeks to dry. The egg is then encased
in a protective cage that can be displayed open or hung by a clear monofilament
line from the ceiling. Several heirloom quality eggshells are already more
than 30 years old. The finished egg is the essence of ZEN. Complete, yet
empty, a physical analog to the meditative state where one is awake yet
selfless, pure consciousness without ego.
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