McAllen, TX – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) will open its newest art exhibition, Pilgrimage of Light, on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The exhibition will be on view through January 25, 2026, and features the work of photographer and multimedia artist Mark Chen, whose images blend night skies and natural landscapes in striking, otherworldly compositions.

In Pilgrimage of Light, Chen travels to remote geological sites and national parks. Through a specially devised projector, he projects astronomical images from NASA and other space agencies onto the terrestrial formations. He then photographs these altered landscapes to produce surreal images that connect the deep time of Earth and the universe.

“My work explores the mysterious coexistence of the universe, Earth, and people,” said Chen. “I invent and repurpose tools, pushing media boundaries to bring these concepts to life.”

Mark Chen, Pillars of Creation on Alien Throne.
Nebula image credit:NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

A special opening reception for IMAS members will take place on Thursday, September 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event is free for museum members, who may bring one guest. Additional guests are welcome with a $10 admission fee. Memberships can be purchased online or at the door.

Chen’s work has been exhibited at FotoFest, the Texas Biennial, the Griffin Museum of Photography, Hong Kong Art Week, Wright Gallery, Texas and the Houston Center for Photography. Pilgrimage of Light was developed in part during his artist residency at Grand Canyon National Park in 2023 and 2024. The series was featured in National Geographic’s March, 2025 issue.

In addition to his art practice, Chen is a published author and educator. He has taught at Rice University and the University of Houston. His most recent book, Photography: A 21st Century Practice (Routledge, 2020), is widely used in photography programs across the country.