Clement Chan: Jazz Improvisation through Abstract Shanshui

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Art of Nature is delighted to present the solo exhibition “Clement Chan: Jazz Improvisation through Abstract Shanshui”.

The returnee artist Clement Chan studied in the United States and Italy, where he obtained a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in fine arts. His art is influenced by Cubism, American Abstract Expressionism and Neo-expressionism. Besides painting, Chan has also been involved in calligraphy, music, modern poetry and philosophy for years. The influence could be traced by the elements from his paintings – unbridled calligraphic brushstrokes, undulating rhythm in music, and perceptual abstraction in poetry. They reflect the artist’s inner sophistication and demonstrate the aesthetic realm beyond image and substance. Chan’s works are constructed to present transcendent purity and dramatic passion and will. The former expresses the essence of human nature and natural state, while the latter gives the works the ever-changing motives. He thus accomplishes the interpolar balance. Meanwhile, he softens the boundaries among the individual, nature, universe, and landscape. Chan’s long-time attainments in arts and his strong desire to paint allow him to create a series of breathtaking works without hesitation.

“The image beyond image” originates with the Tang Dynasty poet Sikong Tu, which refers to the expression of the spiritual connotation and the beauty of poetic imagery. This idea aligns with Chan’s ultimate pursuit in Chinese classical aesthetics. His abstract paintings mingle with the poetry of Chinese shanshui, which is vague and implicit. That becomes the refined summary of his Chinese and Western art exploration and constant practices. The artist conquers the flat space like poets conquer words. In addition to fine imagery, the “free spirit” from jazz music has become another soul of Chan’s works. There is no definite routine or strategy on the speed of brush strokes, color usage, composition and layout. Different emotions are rendered through it, jumping and swaying at one time and lamenting at the other time. Wandering freely between the universe and life and mingling the state of mind in paintings, is the spiritual freedom Chan pursues.

The emergence of jazz comes from drifting and uncertainty, which exactly situates the unease of the pandemic. Chan hopes that the viewer could be enlivened and liberated from reality by seeing his works. Art of Nature and the artist sincerely invite you to visit the solo exhibition “Clement Chan: Jazz Improvisation through Abstract Shanshui”, where you could divide into the Taoist spiritual realm and immerse in the improvised “music” created by Chan.

The exhibition is open for visit by appointment only.