"A Quest for Art Language"

......Even though Acton Chin has never borrowed the “intention” or the formal language of the two masters of the abstract, actually, like deconstructing Michelangelo in the past, he deconstructs these two masters of Modernism (Mondrian and Klee) and, with the shattered remains, reconstructs a form, which is none other than the survival environment for the redlined frame. These abstract designs, seemingly without rhyme or reason, destroys the formal perfection of the surreal worlds of Dali and Margarita, thus giving rise to the “fusion” of the three linguistic fields of vision of the surral imaging, abstract forms and exposition. This is how Chin’s present conceptual language comes into being......"

-- Lian Duan, Ph.D., Art Critic, Montreal

"Modern dilemmas"

Chin displays his sense of humor most clearly in his black and white series titled "4 Set." Human forms, front and back, are redesigned to minimize their sexual orientation and their race by the process of deconstruction and deformation...Influenced by nws reports of animal cloning, the artist puts his own spin on humans by creating a new breed with truncated torsos and muted sexuality...

{artspeak} - Judy Seckler, Pasadena Weekly

"Continuing and Recommended Exhibitions"

Vigorous figurative elements intertwine and twist aggressively through abstract space in Acton Chin’s current series, Forever Existence. Power and vitality are conveyed, but so is vulnerability and mortality. The series was directly stimulated by 9/11, and stands as an expression of personal horror and resistance. The history of this Chinese native (Chin emigrated to the US during the 1980s) has been to mix a surrealist sensibility with a fascination for mixed cultural symbols. The current more formally unified work may be the result of an emotional shock that hit millions very hard.

-- ArtScene

"Figurative Melody"

Reminiscent of the Cubist style of Pablo Picasso and George Braque, particularly Picasso's 1921 painting. "Three Musicians," Acton Chin's "Rock & Roll" depicts a musician in an abstract yet harmonious way. Though detached, each part forms a whole that speaks to the theme of Chin's current exhibit, "Figurative Melody" at the Absolute Art Gallery in San Marino.

"Rock & Roll" reveals a musician whose mouth, guitar and symbolically represented heart are emphasized in vibrant red. The hands are also given attention as realistic, detailed instruments of their own. All of these music-making elements fuse against a background of designs and symbols floating in watery blue.

- Julie Riggott, Pasadena Weekly