An attack of glaucoma 35 years ago could have ended Chiang Han-tung's (
Deprived of clear vision, his painting career stalled, Chiang suffered severe depression and vowed never to pick up a brush again. Fortunately he changed his mind, otherwise we would not have the chance to see some engaging Chinese folk customs brought to life through Chiang unique perspective.
Simply titled Oil Paintings by Chiang Han-tung, (
PHOTO COURTESY OF APOLLO ART GALLERY
This is one of only a few solo exhibitions Chiang has held and the first since his retrospective in 1997.
Chiang was a student of Lee Chun-shang (李仲生), one of Taiwan's most influential painters and fine arts teachers.
In the 1950s, when Impressionism dominated Taiwan's art scene, Chiang was pioneering the Cubist idioms while promoting prints valued as art rather than just as decorations.
Chiang's folk-activity-themed paintings suggest a strong association with painter Wu Hao (
Unlike Wu, who established his reputation early, as indeed did many of his students, Chiang has remained a relatively obscure figure over the past 30 years.
Sporadically appearing in some joint exhibitions, Chiang did not receive any formal recognition until 1997, when he received the Lee Chung-sheng Foundation Modern Painting Award at the age of 68.
The fact that Chiang is not well-known is partly due to his dislike of promotion and avoidance of social activities. Painting is Chiang's one and only passion in life.
Chiang's glaucoma got the better of him just when his career was taking off in 1968. His wood cuts at the time show much influence from Chinese Buddhist frescos, Hindu folk art and, most of all, a vivid expression of an idyllic life from a bygone age.
At the encouragement of his wife, who had to work several jobs to support their life, Chiang broke his vow four years after he put down his easel. At first, he tried to draw with black magic markers, going on to use more colors and finally began using oil on canvas. With his limited eyesight, Chiang can only paint in the soft light of early morning and for no more than a few hours a day.
Spending most of his days painting and thinking, Chiang attributes his paintings to imagination stimulated by the memories of his early life in China's Fujian province. Circuses, religious festivals and the folklore Chiang's elders passed down to him are put down on canvas with childlike simplicity.
Oil Paintings by Chiang Han-tung will show at the Apollo Art Gallery, 2F, 218-6, Chunghsiao E Rd Sec 4 (
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