ART SOLO - Dual Exhibition by HUANG Ko-Chuan & Hilo CHEN

ART SOLO - Dual Exhibition by HUANG Ko-Chuan & Hilo CHEN

ART SOLO - Dual Exhibition by HUANG Ko-Chuan & Hilo CHEN
Duration. May, 04 - May 07, 2023
Booth. A09.B10
Location. Taipei Flora Expo's Radiant Pavilion

"ART SOLO 2023" is an art exhibition in Taiwan that focuses on solo exhibitions by artists, allowing viewers to explore the artist's work in depth. It will take place from May 5th (Friday) to May 7th (Sunday) in 2023 at the Taipei Expo Park, the Splendor Pavilion. This year, Apollo Art Gallery will be presenting at booth A09.B10. HUANG Ko-Chuan、Hilo CHEN  's artworks

HUANG Ko-Chuan (1919-2010) was a pioneering figure in the Taiwanese art scene known for his interdisciplinary approach. He excelled in various art forms such as batik, ink painting, oil painting, watercolor, and mixed media. He also explored printmaking, photography, and comics, making him a versatile and well-rounded artist. His innovative "Ice-Crack Batik Painting" was particularly impressive. In the 1950s, he actively participated in the modern art movement in Taiwan and, along with artists like HUANG Chun-Pi, CHU Teh-Chun, YuYu YANG, and CHEN Ting-Shih, co-founded organizations like the "Republic of China Painting Association" and the "Republic of China Printmaking Association," which laid the foundation for the development of art in Taiwan. His works were selected for international art exhibitions, including the São Paulo International Biennial in Brazil, the exhibition of contemporary Spanish art, and the National Art Exhibition in Taiwan (where he was granted a lifetime exemption from the review process).

HUANG Ko-Chuan, in his quest for bridging the dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures, pioneered a unique painting technique known as "Ice Crack Wax Batik." He revolutionized traditional batik craftsmanship by developing his own methods, simplifying procedures, and mastering the intricate and ever-changing patterns of "ice cracks." He integrated these patterns into specific areas of his artworks, creating textures that resemble the cracking of ice. The distinctive texture of ice cracks on his canvases adds layers and intrigue to his paintings. For example, "Blossoming" (1980), displayed in this exhibition, showcases a vibrant bouquet of flowers within a vase. The unique patterns created by ice cracks enhance the vitality of the flowers, making them appear flourishing and full of life. In another piece, "Majestic Peaks into the Clouds" (1991), HUANG captures the continuous and towering peaks found in traditional Chinese ink painting. Amidst the mist and clouds, the ice crack patterns suggest that the mountain ranges persist and extend further. The contrast between the serenity of the mountains and the dynamic nature of the clouds is heightened by the ice crack texture, adding a sense of movement to the composition. Another work on display, "Myriad Forms" (1978), is an abstract piece that uses a dark base to accentuate seven rich colors. The transition from dark and monochrome at the bottom to bright and diverse at the top unifies the canvas. The characteristics of ice crack patterns, interweaving between thickness and sparsity, create a sense of depth and layers in the artwork, enhancing the meaning of "myriad forms" within the composition. Many of HUANG Ko-Chuan's works are held in the collections of the National Museum of History and numerous private collectors. Apollo Art Gallery has exhibited HUANG Ko-Chuan's works at various art fairs, including the Taipei International Art Fair (2021, 2022) and the Taichung Art Fair (2021, 2022).

Hili CHEN is a contemporary hyperrealist painter known for his photorealistic approach, specializing in the depiction of female figures and floral subjects. Alongside artists like Walasse DING and Dennis HWANG, he is known as one of the "New York Three Musketeers." In the 1970s, he gained recognition in the New York art scene for his beach nude paintings. His works are characterized by vibrant and saturated colors, with close examination revealing his meticulous attention to detail in both flowers and the female form. Apollo Art Gallery had solo exhibitions for Hilo CHEN as early as 1993 and 1994. His works are held in collections of prominent institutions like the Guggenheim Museum in New York and many international art museums. One of the exhibited works, "Tulip" (1994), employs the depth-of-field effect commonly seen in photography. It blurs the background and focuses on the subject of the "tulip." Through the play of light and shadow, it captures the intricate details and textures of the petals, with dewdrops on the petals serving as captivating highlights, highlighting the artist's mastery of photorealistic painting techniques. Another piece, "Beach 145" (2005), features a bikini-clad woman on the beach, confidently showcasing the grace and allure of the female form. Hilo CHEN excels in using both airbrush and brush techniques. Through oil paint and a photographic-realistic approach, he convincingly portrays the curves of sun-exposed bodies and the details of skin pores accompanied by sweat droplets, making them appear as realistic as possible on canvas. Hilo CHEN's paintings blur the boundaries between photorealistic photographs and paintings. With his unique composition style, he offers viewers a new way to appreciate artwork and encourages them to reconsider the form of his paintings.

Welcome to ART SOLO 2023 !

About Artist HUANG Ko-Chuan、Hilo CHEN

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