Mind Set Art Center is delighted to present "Human and Landscape" for Art Taipei at booth E03. It highlights include works by 18 artists collaborating or associated with the gallery, exploring the human condition and the beauty of nature through painting and sculpture. The participating artists have all undergone a process of self-reflection, leading them to explore new possibilities for the expression of human and landscape in art. Their work offers a fresh interpretation of artistic form and language, creating a poetic landscape that is both romantic and vibrant. The interplay of "people," "objects," and "environment" in these works opens up new dialogues between reality and fiction, the everyday and the epic.
The Reinvention of Landscape Painting
The works by Shi Jin-Hua, LEE Ming-tze, Rao FU, TANG Jo-Hung, Wu Tseng Jung, LIN Wei-Hsiang, and TZENG Yong-Ning reinvent the landscape tradition through their highly personal artistic languages.
In “Father’s Rock #5,” Shi Jin-Hua uses ink, graphite, and dust from stones to transform the textures of his father’s rock collection into a dripping landscape Wu Tseng Jung, who has been devoted to watercolor painting all his life, transitioned from an architect to a full-time painter in his middle age. His unique technique of pouring water onto the canvas has brought watercolor to a new level of depth and richness. The bold compositions, brushstrokes, and colors of his landscapes fuse Eastern and Western aesthetics. In contrast to Wu Tseng Jung’s confident and expressive paintings, LIN Wei-Hsiang’s landscapes are rendered in soft, restrained brushstrokes and layers of oil paint. They are familiar yet unfamiliar, a fusion of time and color. These landscapes are inspired by LIN Wei-Hsiang’s personal memories of traveling in nature, as well as his multiple imaginations while painting. Landscape, memory, imagery, and the artist’s inner world are all interwoven on the canvas, creating a scene that captures the different seasons, moments, tones, and shadows of the world. TZENG Yong-Ning’s vibrant ballpoint pen drawings of the modern metropolis create a landscape that blends the human and the natural.
LEE Ming-tse, Fu Rao, and TANG Jo-Hung create landscapes that are populated with figures and settings from different cultures and times. These works highlight the human warmth and the unique temporality of the landscape. In “A Masked Man Throws a Daggar”, LEE Ming-tze uses acrylic paint on a substrate of mixed paper pulp, bamboo, and resin to blend the materials and flavors of everyday life with a fantastical and imaginative world of martial arts. The patchwork-like technique constructs a local aesthetic characteristic of Taiwanese contemporary art. TANG Jo-Hung, the winner of the 2023 Taishin Arts Award, creates a flowing space in his latest painting, “Jazzman in the Forest & Madonna and Child”. The space is woven together by brushstrokes and color blocks, and it subtly depicts the figures of the musician and the holy family, as well as the theatrical time and space in which they exist. In contrast to LEE Ming-tse’s localism and TANG Jo-Hung’s theatrical time and space, Rao FU’s paintings reveal a more cross-cultural quality that transcends time and civilization. The compressed space, saturated colors with strong contrasts, and characters that embody human emotions, alienation, and the depths of the soul in “The Nameless Planet” take us to an eternal time and space that is both real and illusory, ancient and modern.
In the Deep Embrace of Humans, Objects, and Space
In the work of Filipino artist Marina Cruz, we see a deep and intimate dialogue between the artist and the objects and spaces that surround her. Her paintings, whether they depict clothing or focus on feminine spaces, are infused with the artist's own unique emotions and tensions. Romanian artist Ana Maria MICU is also drawn to the intersection of humans, objects, and space. Her paintings often depict her studio or other personal spaces, and they explore the relationship between the artist and her environment. Taiwanese artist Juin SHIEH also frequently incorporates plants and other organic forms into her work. Her new painting, “Chaotic Stories in the Jungle”, depicts a lush and vibrant landscape filled with flowers, vines, and feathers. Yu-Ning YANG 's new ink painting, “Heart-Shaped Membrane”, takes a bird's-eye view of plants and their growth. The painting is both abstract and detailed, and it suggests a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world.
Taiwanese artist Yi-Chun LO uses dried banana peels to create her "Banana Boat" sculptures. These works are not only beautiful and intricate, but they also reflect the artist's interest in history, labor, and the exchange value of commodities. Chihhung LIU's "The Fruits" series is a collection of ceramic sculptures that explore the artist's connection to the land. The sculptures are made from local clay and are inspired by the natural world. Lee YANG and CHOU Kai-Lun are both interested in the intersection of art and everyday life. Lee YANG 's new paintings of race cars depict the artist's passion for the sport. CHOU Kai-Lun's abstract paintings and sketches explore the possibilities of art and the creative process.
Romanian artist Ioan DE MOISA, who is making his debut in Taiwan, is known for his paintings of landscapes and figures. His work often blends the real world with the fantastical, creating a sense of wonder and possibility. Portuguese artist Leitão Ferreira takes a more critical approach to the human condition. His paintings often depict people in conflict or isolation, highlighting the challenges of modern life. These artists all explore the complex relationships between humans, objects, and space. Their work is both visually striking and thought-provoking, and it invites us to consider our own place in the world.
