Modern Art Gallery
現代畫廊
since 1982
online gallery

by LIN Chih-Hang x HUANG Shang-Yu + SUN Yu-Chia x LIU Je-Rong
date｜展期　2023. 08. 05 - 09. 10
opening reception｜開幕茶會　2023. 08. 05　15:00

CH

　　Every day, we awaken slowly, preparing to confront the rapid impact of real life, as our senses brace for the onslaught of messages flooding in. Time appears to accelerate, leaving us with little opportunity to reflect on ourselves and examine the trajectory of our past. As the concept of the "metaverse" takes shape, an intermediary that intertwines the virtual world and our reality, we can't help but wonder about the whereabouts of our "original universe." Where does that individual, shaped by countless years, truly reside? Who are we at the core of our being? How have our present thoughts and physical form been molded? These questions prompt us to unravel our own narrative, reexamine our origins, and seek out an alternative universe for the future.

　　 In light of this, we approach the artistic perspectives and creative directions of four individuals, dividing our exploration into two parts: the environment and the essence of individual life. In the realm of the environment, we delve into the language expressed through Lin Chih-Hang's wood carving artworks. Starting with natural plant materials, transformed by human needs into utilized resources, and ultimately discarded as waste, Lin gathers and reassembles these fragments, breathing new life into them through his artistic craftsmanship. The artist's transformative touch imbues the materials with fresh symbolism, shaping conscious beliefs that emerge from seemingly unconscious repetition, and offering novel perspectives.

　　Conversely, Huang Shang-Yu's oil paintings revolve around the central theme of the "Window Series." Accumulating a wealth of real-life data throughout the creative process, capturing snippets of life, experiences, and resonant environments, Huang synthesizes these elements using computer technology. Returning to the artist's subjective experience, the accumulated data is meticulously arranged using the honed techniques of painting. This exploration contemplates the symbiotic relationship between virtual windows and the tangible reality of physical doors, seeking a delicate equilibrium.

　　Shifting our focus to individual life forms, we delve into the unique perspectives of Sun Yu-Chia and Liu Je-Rong, dividing their artistic visions into the realms of the mundane and the fabricated. Sun Yu-Chia incorporates the transformation of personal roles as a significant element in her works. Transitioning from being a single woman to embracing the role of a mother within a family, she utilizes painting as a medium to rewrite the narrative of her life. Leveraging the concept of contemporary memes, she playfully transforms the cyclical nature of daily life into recognizable movie titles, offering a fresh interpretation of present-day existence akin to theatrical snapshots.

　　On the other hand, Liu Je-Rong employs the "End of Days Series" as a representation of life. Drawing inspiration from legends, fables, and ghost stories, he utilizes rough artificial synthesis techniques, detached from scientific or medical foundations, to create fleeting illusions. These crafted moments of physical embodiment, transient and impermanent, seek to capture attention and evoke introspection as they navigate the search for an elusive sense of self.

In contemplating the emergence of the "metaverse" as a medium that interweaves the virtual and the real, our "Sourceverse" invites viewers to revisit their own realms through the exploration of these distinctive microcosms. Have we truly grasped the depths of our personal universe through introspection? Ultimately, the "Sourceverse" of these four artists has gradually taken shape through extensive observation and contemplation of the external world—an ongoing journey of self-discovery, evolving one step at a time.

Works

LIN Chih-Hang | 林志航 (b. 1980)

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