Tseng Ying-Tung’s World of Energies Every so often, we encounter art that draws us into its dimension. Tainan based artist Tseng Ying-Tung’s works operate on such a level. In its first ever exhibition by an overseas artist, Gallery Lane Cove is proud to be showcasing works by Tseng. Entitled Sprout: The Conservation of Energy, the exhibition seeks to re-imagine the world from the perspectives of strength, transformation and energy; with the ethos of love as an intangible asset and counterpoint to materialism and money.
Curator Hsu Yuan-ta describes Tseng as a practitioner of “volatile aesthetics”. His mixed media paintings appear at once gritty, solid, heavy yet ephemeral, and evoke experiences of tranquility. Juxtapositions are typical in Tseng’s artworks. Rachel Kiang, Manager & Curator of Gallery Lane Cove, interviewed Tseng about his creative processes, the impetus for this new body of work and his expanded practice that incorporates art in the public realm.
2. What inspired your latest body of work featured in the exhibition Sprout: The Conservation of Energy? How does this new work differ from your previous series? I was inspired by the relationship between humanity and nature. I constantly reflect on how a balance between humanity and their surroundings could be reached. In recent years, energy has been at the forefront of my creative thinking. This has since developed into an emphasis on the exchange, circulation and flow of energies in my paintings. As of early 2018, I have been creating a series of works about the way energy courses through various life forms and objects. This new exhibition Sprout: The Conservation of Energy features tropical oceans, islands and focuses on the issue of environmental sustainability. It is all about harmony and harmonious co-existence.
1. What drives you to create artworks? How would you describe your artistic process?
3. Taoist philosophy appears to be quite central to your art. Could you please explain how it translates into your paintings?
As a child, I enjoyed the process of painting. Since graduating from college, my works have been evolving, from the early series of ‘Ocean’, ‘The Wetlands’, ‘Islands’ through to the recent series ‘Energy’ and ‘Harmony between Heaven and Earth’. This progressive course is not deliberate, but rather organic and natural. It comes from being open to learning and a continuous observation of life and nature.
One of the fundamental ideas of Taoism is to follow the unplanned rhythms of the universe. When I draw, the strokes, choice of colours and how the colours interact with each other are not predetermined. Instead, they sprout and grow like organisms without extra effort on my part. I believe in the simplicity and spontaneity of Tao and this is the guiding principle in my creative endeavours.
10 TVO FEBRUARY 2019
Endless Growth by Tseng Ying-Tung.
Five Loaves of Bread and Two Fish by Tseng Ying-Tung.
Roam the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits by Tseng Ying-Tung.
