Tay Bak Chiang, The Fortuitous Elements, 2015, Pigments and Chinese ink and colours on rice
Chan Hampe Galleries presents Blue White Vermilion《青花 • 朱印, new works by Singaporean artist Tay Bak Chiang.
Further expanding on earlier explorations of the lotus pond as a central motif in his works, Tay adopts the classic blue and white palette archetypal of Chinese qinghua“青花” porcelain to highlight the segue between water and sky, each painting conveying the boundless freedom of nature. Contrasted with the rich vermillion shade present in the zhuyin “朱印” Chinese engraved seal, Chinese traditional ink painting is reinterpreted through an austere and unassuming minimalist aesthetic.
Outlines of lotus flowers and luminescent moonlit reflections form against vicissitudes of blue yielded through ink washes and colour splashes. The possibilities and serendipities of ink are further conveyed in the swift and expressive brushstrokes that stain and coalesce into one another–a gesture that captures the beauty of nature’s inhibition. Combining the elegance of traditional Chinese ink painting with new techniques and approaches, these patterned ink silhouettes invites viewers to reflect on the nuances of nature as presented in visual imagery.
Opening Night: Thursday, 22 October 2015, 7 – 9 PM
Venue: Chan Hampe Galleries, Raffles Hotel Arcade #01-21, 328 North Bridge Road
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 11am – 7pm
When: 22 Oct - 15 Nov 2015,
