In Situ

Taiwan University Public Dormitory

17 – 27 January 2019

Performance at 5pm, 18 January

No. 10, Lane 248, Sec. 1, He Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan

In Situ is a solo exhibition from Taiwanese artist Yahon Chang, presented in a historical colonial building in Taipei coinciding with the art fairs Taipei Dangdai and INK NOW Taipei Art Expo.

The exhibition presents an immersive environment evoking the poetic universe of the artist’s studio and offers insight into his process. Exploring painting as performance, Chang uses elements from classical Chinese calligraphy and ink painting combined with Western expressionism in a highly physical manner to create his own aesthetic that explores the spirituality and philosophy of peace.

Using Chinese ink painting techniques in ways that are gestural, large in size and often site-specific, the artist’s body and physical movements are an integral part of his process. His brushwork integrates tai chi martial arts movements for their flow of qi (vital energy) and ideas born from Chinese Literati philosophy into a new contemporary expression.

On view are recent works including large-scale gestural ink paintings on linen, an ink on paper installation, recently on show during Manifesta12, and smaller oils on canvas works alongside other paintings from the artist’s early career.

The show takes place in a historical heritage building from the Japanese colonial period originally built as the naval officer club and abandoned until recent years. Recently restored, by Rich Development Ltd., Co. in cooperation with Taiwan University, the architecture is typical of colonial style housing. The building was used as a Japanese elementary school prior to the end of the Second World War and after the war as an accommodation for professors from Taiwan University.

Yahon Chang’s works are on view at INK NOW Taipei Art Expo with Taihe Art Gallery from 19 – 21 January (preview 18 January).