Aloha Everyone,
This morning J.J. and I visited the Chen Art Gallery located in the Sunrider International headquarters at 1625 Abalone Avenue in Torrance, CA.
This is a private, non-profit art gallery exhibiting the extensive personal collection of Dr. Tei Fu Chen. Dr. Chen is the founder and chairman of Sunrider International. Originally from Taiwan, according to the brochure provided by the museum, Dr. Chen is, "A world renowned herbalist and pharmacist." The brochure further explains that his collection spans over the past 25 years, "amassing one of the most important private collections of Chinese Art in the United States."
Searching for some interesting topics to write about while J.J. and I are in the South Bay area, I came upon this museum.
I telephoned and was able to request for a guided tour. J.J. made it just one minutes to our appointed time of 11:00 am.
Holly, who gave us a private guided tour, works as the museum coordinator. She also has other responsibilities including curatorial and research. A graduate of Brigham Young University where she majored in Visual Art and Art History and minored in Italian. Holly was the perfect tour guide for us. Patient and informative, she took time to answer our questions.
My favorite displays were the antique ink sticks used for calligraphy and brush paintings, and the large collection of statues of Buddha .
Regrettably, J.J. and I hurried through the final section of Picasso etchings as we've kept Holly and us late for lunch.
Thank you so much Holly for your assistance in helping us appreciate the vast collection of The Chen Art Gallery.
No photography was permitted. So here is the lobby of the Sunrider International. For more info, go to www.chenartgallery.org
Aloha -- Cathi
