Math meets art in Weston Public Library exhibit

Visitors walking through the Weston Public Library this month may notice colorful geometric paintings lining the walls. At first glance, the works appear to be abstract art filled with repeating circles, triangles and intricate patterns; a closer look, however, reveals that each piece begins with something much simpler: mathematics.

The Weston Public Library’s current art exhibit, on display until the end of the month, features the work of local artist and longtime mathematics educator Shukkuen Tse, whose paintings combine geometry with creativity to show that math can be as expressive as any traditional art form. Entitled “Exploring the Joy of Mathematics and Art,” Tse’s work invites viewers to explore patterns, experiment with shapes and discover the beauty hidden within mathematical ideas, rather than focusing on formulas and memorization.

“I’ve always loved to doodle.” Tse said. “I’ve done portraits and a little bit of landscapes, but I didn’t feel like I stood out.”

Everything changed in 2014 after a serious bicycle accident left Tse recovering from two brain surgeries. During that year, a conversation with a high school art teacher sparked a question that would reshape Tse’s artistic career: What is the relationship between math and art?

“That’s when I started to explore lines and shapes and angles and forms,” Tse said. “Thats how it all started.”

As a lifelong math educator who has taught students from kindergarten through adulthood, Tse had spent years looking for ways to make mathematics more accessible. During recovery, those teaching experiences merged with artistic exploration, leading to a style built around geometry, repetition and discovery.

“I’ve had the privilege to watch the developmental continuum of mathematics, I came upon some shapes and forms that I thought, ‘Wow, I can play with it,’” Tse said, adding that mathematics is an “intrinsically beautiful language.”

Many of the paintings begin with rules, compass and a few basic shapes. Tse demonstrated how a simple right triangle or evenly spaced points around a circle can gradually grow into intricate geometric designs through repeated patterns.

“You don’t have to know any of those fancy words,” Tse said. “You just have to have a hands-on experience of what shapes look like and how they turn out.”

Although the finished paintings appear carefully planned, Tse said the creative process balances structure with experimentation. These initial rules, she added, often lead to unexpected results.

“I just have to follow the rules for the first 10 or 15 minutes. After that, I can just go wild and be creative,” Tse said. “There are infinite possibilities.”

That same spontaneity carries into the way Tse paints. Instead of outlining every section beforehand, she often pours acrylic paint directly onto the canvas, allowing color to blend naturally before deciding how the mathematical patterns will fit into the composition.

“I throw color on a canvas,” Tse said. “Once it’s dried, I look at what comes out and then decide what I want to put in it.”

The combination of mathematical precision and artistic instinct helps create artwork that is structured, but also unpredictable.

While some visitors may automatically recognize familiar geometric shapes, Tse hopes the exhibit encourages people to think differently about math itself. After decades in education, Tse believes too many students associate math with memorization instead of exploration.

“Some kids might be scared of math,” Tse said. “‘I’m not good at it. I don’t like it.’ But if it is something to play with and something to discover, then it becomes a wonderful discovery.”

Rather than emphasizing perfect answers, Tse hopes people leave the exhibit feeling comfortable experimenting, making mistakes and staying curious.

Weston Public Library staff say the exhibit is a chance for people to learn about how art can cross disciplinary boundaries, according to Reference Librarian and Art Committee member Susan Gula.

“The exhibit is a wonderful opportunity for our community to experience the connection between art and math, visitors of all ages are always leaving feeling inspired, and we love that.” said Gula.

Beyond the exhibit itself, Tse hopes the displays will help spark conversations between local educators and artists. One of Tse’s long-term goals is to help collaborate with schools by creating projects that combine math and art in hands-on ways.

“I would love to hear from any math department or any art department. To collaborate and have a project would be my dream goal,” Tse said. “I’m so excited to get this opportunity to share my art.”