“Standing in front of a work of art, what is the first thing you do?  Do you look for the name of the artist and work on the exhibit label before attempting to make a connection between the text and image? Or, do you intuitively seek the visual and sensual stimulation provided by the artwork? Perhaps you try to recall some similar memory or knowledge deep within your mind.

For the “Gazing and Feeling Exercise – Artists Group Exhibition”, we ask you to let go of any existing ideas or stereotypical impressions you might have of art, regardless of your method of appreciation.  All you need to do is pay attention and gaze at the work to experience the present moment. Through iterative gazing, feeling, contemplation, and dialogue with the different styles of artwork by Wang Yungchiu, Peng Wei, Peng Huiting, and Tsai Mengchang, you might discover limitless possibilities of art, and find inspiration to gain deeper understanding and insight into the works.

The works of Wang Yungchiu originate from his daily observations and contemplations on the production of imagery, as he attempts to separate from personalized and emotional expressions. Integrating various elements, such as colors, hard edges and the minimalism of American abstract art from the 1950s to the 1970s, Wang explores the innate energies within “ethereal” and “metaphysical” images.  In particular, he excels at establishing a discourse on the relational changes between two polarities. When first glimpsing Wang’s works, they are immediately attracted to the bright geometric patterns and soft, matte colors. The large areas, gentle lines and color blocks offer a relative sense of visual calmness. Upon closer observation, however, the viewer’s vision is filled with texture-like cracks that may trigger temporary anxiety in the subconsciousness. 

Compared to his previous works, the paintings in this exhibition utilize the formal principles of repetition, gradation and symmetry often found in Optical Art to create a static sense of movement. In addition to the visual experience, the dual creative processes of fast vs. slow also reflects the opposing characteristics of the medium. The works bring the viewers into unfamiliar territories from all depths, enticing viewers to re-visit, contemplate and perceive.

Currently a graduate student at the National Tsing Hua University Department of Arts and Design, Peng Wei recently switched from realistic charcoal sketches to conceptual art after finding inspiration in related literature. For his earlier works of graphic art depicting sceneries of his hometown of Miaoli, the concrete realistic technique was applied, using soft and freehand lines to interweave the virtual and real relations between darkness vs. light and shallowness vs. depth. It was all in pursuance of spatial layers and rhythm arranged by brushstrokes filled with a nostalgic and straightforward realistic style.

However, his latest installation works reveal another distinctive concept that focuses on an exploration of “the physical labor of the artist” and “the observational methods of  viewers”.  Occupying one corner of the exhibition, “Studio” features artificial light sources shining into a space pasted with brushwork records of light and shadows at different times throughout the day.  Over a period of three to four months, the artist recorded traces of sunlight shining from the window into the room every two hours.  Through this method, he depicts the physical labor employed by an artist along with a sense of time into his art, while attempting to transform the vision and expectation of people regarding objects before their eyes.

Peace, stability and tranquility have always been the visual sensations Peng Huiting wishes to convey and pursue via ink paintings. Lao Tzu’s saying “The way is nature” clarifies how people thrive in accordance with and possess the same perception as nature. Due to the advent of technology and the development of urban communities, however, concrete walls and asphalt pavements have obstructed our connection with nature, causing us to gradually lose this instinct.

To respond to our existing state within the contemporary urban setting and achieve balance within ourselves, Peng focuses all her attention on applying the ink wrinkle method to present delicate brush lines with ink. Through reflection and recreation of nature, she reassembled natural elements, such as trees, rocks and flowing water, presenting the vitality of nature in her works via the quiet power of the valley, the nurturing and tolerant soil, the humility of the grass, the carefree and unrestrained wind, the soft and cleanliness of water, the hope of light, and the restoration of the night. The visual message conveyed in her work is peaceful, flowing, and breathing, guiding viewers to become immersed in the tranquility and restored appearance after balancing the energy of life in between exhaling and inhaling while observing in a state of calmness.

In this fast-moving pace of contemporary society, most members of younger generations are busy heading to big cities for work. However, Tsai Mengchang chose to move away from the hustle and bustle of city life and return to his hometown of Chiayi. Using precise techniques to paint in a realistic style, he gently and firmly gazes at and records the gradually fading scenic memories of his hometown.

In a two-year plan beginning with Chiayi and Tainan, the Metropolis of No Railways series depicts scenes of Taiwan Railways that changed due to the train station’s three-dimensional construction. The abandoned seating idly located on the side, the railway crossing fences slowly fading with peeling paint, and the dilapidated walls with exposed steel beams - all of these unremarkable images of daily city life have become the main focus for Tsai in his paintings. Faced with scenes from the past that had gradually disappeared along with the passage of time, Tsai composes his canvas with a slight sense of nostalgia in an attempt to remind viewers of their own emotions and reflections of their homeland.

Gazing and Feeling Exercise – Artists Group Exhibition will take place from 4/24 to 5/29. All the participating artists, Wang Yungchiu, Peng Wei, Peng Huiting, and Tsai Mengchang, will be present at the opening tea party at 4 pm on April 24, 2021. Soka Art sincerely welcomes you to visit us in person, and join our Gazing and Feeling Exercise by opening your mind and senses.