‘Pop nostalgia’ and protozoa props

En Em Art Space

Amy Chan's résumé is dominated by exhibitions in East Coast galleries, which makes sense, since she's based on that side of the country. But En Em Art Space brought Chan's work to Sacramento in 2014, and is doing so again this month for her solo show Moon Bounce. Her work is inspired by organic, natural materials, such as protozoa or coral reef, but then she simplifies the shapes into straight lines and perfect curves and amplifies the colors into controlled, airbrushed hues. The pieces offer, as she calls it, “pop nostalgia” and a “cheap plastic goods” feel that are reminiscent of logos or '80s packaging—or Pee-wee's Playhouse props for protozoa and coral reef.