Anthony Chan Was born in Penang in
1950 . He has participated in several one man and group
exhibitions in France, Thailand ,Bangladesh and this will be his
eight solo show ( sixth in Malaysia) . He is a self taught artist
who is preoccupied with the unfolding of our earth . He draws
inspiration from nature and our environment to create whimsical
illusions of natural scapes . His controlled use of expressionism
presents a meditative dialogue between the art aand the viewer.
The notion of time and time passing is a reflective issue in
Anthony Chan's art . He is concerned with the passing of the
"natural "and ideas which relate to organic
transformation . Moreover his preoccupation with nostalgia and
romantic ideals allows for him to touch upon issues of life and
disappearance which define the idea of finite infinity that deals
with the emotions he feels at a specific time and place.
He captures images far away from us yet they assume a place, a
time or even a moment that can be imagined . His recent series of
paintings " Nature's Rhapsody" show a concern with
boundaries and boundlessness and the juxtapositioning of the idea
of the hard edge . Using a harmony of colours as a perspective
background for horizons and natural scapes and palette knifes to
chord fine, meandering lines , he conjures up an elaborate and
dreamy image of land art.
The fine lines thunders across the canvasses as if invading some
sacred entity . The lines gyrate in many folds to make up
capricious fluid forms that appear to float and suspend themselves
in space . They act as a boundary, as a dark and formidable
element that guards the enigmatic forces of nature.
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The movement of
spiralling lines set against avalanches of earthen and watery hues
shows a symbolic comparison between history and nature touched by
man and one left untouched and pure Anthony challenges the vanity
of human achievement where for the sake of progress much of what
is important, beautiful and free is repeatedly neglected . This in
turn sees the world going in two direction - forwards and
backwards - his art similarly encompasses the notion of diffusion
where things reveal themsevles useless as they spread over natural
surfaces.
His choice of colours is intentionally electrifying in order to
generate the sensation of a powerful driving force that regulates
our world and the potency of modern technology. Again he is
conscious of the gift of colours from nature He forms a
curious mix of colours, like a scientist experimenting with
chemicals ,to allow for a striking and harmonious chemistry. He
arranges his palette according to the setting. Icey turquoise and
glimmers of white and blue for seas and rivers . Deep reds and
yellows for mountain ranges.
His aerial view of life on earth creates sensations of shadows and
the feeling of hanging in air. Following his earlier series of
"Aftermath" - the controlled movement of formal lines
and "Transition" where broken fragments and bands of
contravening lines inspires him to fuse the two together in
"Nature's Rhapsody" . The two forms now complement each
other to give order, balance and a matured unity.
"Nature Rhapsody" series shows stylistic abstraction,
rythmic forms and great colouration that explores the artist's
journey through nature . The artist's oneness with nature allows
for him to act spontanaeously as he paints . He directs the viewer
into his own world which in turn reflects his conviction and
personal exploration of nature . The essence of his paintings is
to colour the discharge of energy from nature in a warm and cold
abstraction.
Syed Nabil
29th June 1996
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