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As Time Goes By

Watercolours by Chen Yong Liang

Works by Chen Yong Liang

Vernissage: 24 September 2009,   6:30pm - 8:30pm
Exhibition Continues: 25 September 2009 - 13 October 2009

Main Gallery, 21-31 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong

Chen Yong Liang’s watercolour paintings unveil an intrinsic notion of time. He famously depicts objects and scenes from our mundane lives that provoke a heavy sense of nostalgia, as he himself explains: “The nature of my heart is in fact obsessed with memories”. An ambience of reminiscence or ‘fading time’ is achieved through his portrayal of worn out or decaying objects and his deliberate use of light and shadow reminiscent of sunset moments.

Chen’s depiction of run down and rusting articles - such as windows, doors, bicycles and walls - not only enhances the ruthless truth about time and its withering nature, but also prompts thoughts on the subtle oxidative transaction of life and death. Such notion is clearly reflected in The Passing, in which Chen fuses parts of the abandoned bicycle into complete darkness, passing into oblivion, into eternity. However weighty the idea of life and death may be, one cannot neglect the timeless beauty found in Chen’s works, which can be explained with his conviction: “In the search of imageries that annotate memories, I use my soul to feel and believe in the immaculate memories. No matter it is joyful or sad, regardless of its importance…”

Man-made mechanical devices are essential elements found in Chen Yong Liang’s work. Although static, these still life objects seem to possess a special form of life or existence in his paintings. Just like us, all matters have to go through the inevitable challenge of the invasion of time. In Opposite Directions, the two pairs of shoes become the focus of the painting, and also an important sign of human life that links up our existence to the ever quietly aging mundane surroundings. Both pairs of shoes, left and right, form a perfect balance; yet they also provide a path that breaks away from the painting’s dimensionality into our own temporal worlds. It is clear that Chen communicates his message through his own unique perspective, “Because the passing of time is just as quiet and bland as a current of water, therefore I use my own way to enhance the sensitiveness and deep rootedness of memories”.

Schoeni Art Gallery is proud to present Chen Yong Liang’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong. Born in Dalian City of Liaoning Province in 1983, Chen is an exceptionally young emerging talent graduating from the painting department of Beijing Language and Culture University. At such a tender age, he has already been awarded many accolades, including the First Prize in Beijing Language and Culture University Art Exhibition, and First Prize of the 1st Chinese Culture Academic Research Award presented by the subsidiary high School of Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing.