Lines in between Void - Wu Hsichi Solo Exhibition
Added: (Sun Apr 21 2019)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Duration | 04.20.2019 – 05.19.2019（10:00-19:00 Closed on Monday)
Opening Reception | 04.20.2019 Sat. 3:00 p.m.
Venue | Powen Gallery (No. 11, Lane 164, Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491)
Artist Talk | 04.27.2019 Sat. 3:00 p.m. Talk with Tao Wen-Yueh
This is the fifth solo exhibition artist Wu Hsichi has held at Powen Gallery. Wu currently lives in Toucheng, Yilan where he is surrounded by the treasures of nature. He incorporates the philosophy of Buddhism in his work. The repeated motif of Guishan Island and the outline of human figures become his unique expression.
In his new series of works, Wu continues to explore human nature and the environment. Sometimes he goes with his instincts and generously paints with different colors. Other times, he imitates the ancient ink landscape painting to portray the Buddhist’s idea of “seeing one’s essence”. With neat and dense lines, Wu employs the mountains, waters and human figures as metaphors, to depict the ephemeral nature of the world. The lines also symbolize shackles of the flesh and the never-ending challenges throughout a life.
The ubiquity of screens nowadays is also one of the topics he explores. From an artist’s perspective, by using the different misplaced windows, he aims to challenge the audience to reflect on how we observe the world. The contrast between the yearning to blend in and to keep a distance illustrates human natures and the withering of spiritual awareness. In light of the influence of technology advancement, are we closer to or more away from the world?
Wu describes that the figures in his paintings usually lift up their heads – when they look into the sky, they hold different desires. Such is the same with audiences who are hit by a sense of tranquility via his work – they could be yearning to be at ease or having their own expectations for the future in mind.