Art Exhibition
FAST FORWARD
Contemporary Art Collection Exhibition
FAST FORWARD：Contemporary Art Collection Exhibition
focuses on the field of contemporary art and has experienced eight exhibition periods, gradually introducing the development process of contemporary art. Currently, the contemporary art market is vibrant and has resonated greatly with both the audience and collectors. The market liquidity is high, and prices have received favorable feedback.
The "Contemporary Art Collection Exhibition" showcases contemporary art pieces from Europe, America, and Japan in the same space. For those who are new to contemporary art, this comprehensive exhibition provides a preliminary understanding. For experienced collectors, it allows them to quickly find art pieces they admire.
Abstract Expressiveness: Can you understand my current mood by looking at this painting?
Chu The-Chun, a Chinese-French oil painter, is known as one of the “Three Musketeers of Chinese Art” alongside Wu Guan-Zhong and Zao Wou-Ki. He settled in France in 1955 and transitioned his style from realism to “abstract expressionism.” The technique of abstract expressionism emerged as one of the exploratory themes shared by artists in the 1950s and 1960s, known as the “New York School” since it originated in New York. It utilizes abstract elements such as color, shape, and composition to express various emotions, leaving infinite room for the viewer’s imagination. Can you feel the emotions behind Chu The-Chun’s painting “Radiance”?
Conceptual Art: If there were an infinitely large canvas...
Damien Hirst also had exposure to abstract expressionism during his student years before shifting towards developing his painting style known as “conceptual art.” In his series of two paintings called “Spot Paintings,” he arranges dots of different colors to generate various compositions. The ever-changing colors can represent anything. He even has extravagant ideas, suggesting that the Spot Paintings series should be painted on an infinitely large canvas!
Both of these artworks are related to drugs. The triangular one is titled “Phendimetrazine,” which is a type of opioid drug, while the square arrangement is called “Controlled Substance,” which may appear puzzling at first glance.
One of the primary purposes of conceptual art is to lead viewers to contemplate and explore the meanings behind the artwork. Damien Hirst intends to convey the concept that selling drugs is akin to selling the idea or belief of “immortality” due to the inherent quality of prolonging human life. Many of Damien Hirst’s works revolve around the themes of life and death, such as “Uplift,” a piece made from butterfly specimens symbolizing the theme of death and rebirth. You can see the beautiful reflective wings of the butterfly, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a shattered body, even with an ugly side. The canvas pattern is achieved through a technique of spin painting, creating a radial pattern.
Damien Hirst，《All Spun Out》
Damien Hirst seems to have a fondness for circles. Not only in the Spot Paintings series, but he also frequently employs circular compositions in other works. For example, “All Spun Out” is created by placing the canvas on a rotating machine to paint. Butterflies are also a common subject for his artwork, as he has acquired a large number of butterfly specimens for his creative process. “PSALM: EXAUDIAT TE DOMINUS” is one of the four pieces in a set, featuring numerous butterfly specimens attached to the canvas, layered with varnish. The exhibited version is a print and holds considerable value for collectors.
Graffiti Art: Street Graffiti Transformed into Million-Dollar Art Collectibles
Banksy originated as a street graffiti artist in the UK. His works are more playful and often display a sense of dark humor or depict various conflicts in modern society. “Napalm” represents the meaning of “napalm bombing.” The girl in the middle of the artwork is a reinterpretation of the famous photograph taken during the Vietnam War in 1972, known as the “Napalm Girl.” Banksy juxtaposes it with vivid American symbols such as Disney’s Mickey Mouse and McDonald’s Uncle Ronald, combining cartoons, war, and fast food into one, presenting not only the various facets of America but also carrying a satirical meaning.
Yok, a graffiti artist from the Philippines, is known for his concise lines, graphical elements, and illustrative style. This artwork, remade from a bus stop sign, is painted with handcrafted patterns, exuding a sense of craftsmanship and combining it with the style of graffiti art. The inclusion of flowers and plants is also a common motif in his works. His pieces evoke a childlike charm and a sense of self-detachment in the mundane society, making them truly unique.
Internationally Renowned and Emerging Artists: Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, and...
Yayoi Kusama
,《Yellow Pumpkin》/ Yayoi Kusama,”Yellow Pumpkin”
In addition to renowned contemporary artists from Europe and America, this exhibition also features works by Japanese masters such as Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami. Yayoi Kusama often utilizes infinite nets and dots in her compositions, and “Yellow Pumpkin” is one of her representative works, adding a touch of fantasy alongside its cuteness and playfulness. Takashi Murakami’s recognizable pop art style is showcased through three pieces in this exhibition. “Country of the Dead” is a silk screen print created with intricate craftsmanship, displaying its distinct characteristics.
Kasing Lung，《untitled》（left）、《Timberline Lodge》（right）
Furthermore, artists like Hong Kong’s picture book author Kasing Lung and Mayuka Yamamoto, who incorporates the style of Yoshitomo Nara, are also well-known contemporary artists. This exhibition also gathers many promising emerging artists whose artistic potential awaits exploration and discovery by viewers and collectors. It is definitely worth exploring.
