Chien Chung Wei is a young Taiwanese artist with universally recognized talent. He is only beginning to exhibit outside of China and we have already seen a progression from traditionally inspired painting to art incorporating the western influences seen by the artist. Particular attention is paid to the fundamental abstract forms that make up the subject, creating paintings with strong composition and limited detail. A great contrast with his first works where attention to detail was paramount.

    Between 2002 and 2012, I produced each watercolor with difficulty but without ever stopping the demonstrations in class. I even thought that I hadn't really understood the art of watercolor until the last two or three years. The problem is not in the technique chosen, but in the imagination put into the service of the image. I rather insist on the expression of nature by using the characteristics of the mediums. So, I don't like realistic, and especially hyperrealistic, watercolors that look like a photo. The more realistic the painting, the less pleasant the watercolor. I love the unique charm of watercolour: using large amounts of water to make splashes and drips, painting dry on dry to leave very visible textures.

Recently, I encouraged my students to paint in the abstract style because we all know that when faced with a black and white painting, we only see the essentials of the drawing. Likewise, when we look at a painting through its purest forms, we discover abstract compositions in it. By taking a look at the work, we know if it is a masterpiece or something mediocre.    

AoW 20   Chien Chung Wei