Rewired

Cat Chiu

January 11 – February 22, 2025

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

My work is an intersection of tradition, technology, and identity, reflecting on the beauty and chaos in a rapidly advancing digital world. Drawing from my background and love of the handmade, I reimagine these complicated systems through the lens of traditional handicrafts. Using salvaged materials such as floppy disks, iPhones, iPads, and telephone cords, I explore the fragile, tangled connections that are created but also its presence as a post-consumer product.  

Through works including Platform and Disconnect, I highlight the tension between progress and obsolescence. These works reflect on how innovation transforms human connection while leaving behind a trail of discarded remnants. They invite viewers to confront the wonder and quiet sadness of our relationship with technology, where the tools that connect us also isolate and divide.  

By incorporating recycled materials and community-driven collaboration, my practice emphasizes sustainability and shared experience. The work becomes a space for reflection on the environmental consequences of consumer culture, the complexity of human connection, and the resilience of tradition amidst rapid change. Ultimately, I aim to inspire dialogue, provoke thought, and celebrate the rich intersections of culture, communication, and identity. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Cat Chiu Phillips is a Filipino-Chinese American artist and educator whose work transforms public spaces with vibrant, large-scale installations. Her creations often integrate traditional handcrafted methods and repurposed, discarded materials, reflecting her commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Phillips’ public artworks frequently invite collaboration, fostering equitable visibility and celebrating diverse voices.  Cat’s work is in several permanent collections, she has received prestigious accolades, including the California Arts Council’s Established Artist Fellowship, Creative Corps’ Far South Border North award, and recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts.   

Phillips holds an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, MS in Special Education and is currently a candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at San Diego State University. With over 24 years of experience in public education, she serves as the Visual Arts Resource Teacher for San Diego Unified School District and is an adjunct professor. A public artist and dedicated mother, Phillips continues to create impactful art that bridges community, culture, and sustainability.