Clement Chan: New Sixteen Views of Seclusion

Eremitic living is one of the timeless themes in Chinese landscape art. For various reasons and intentions, literati have sought to free themselves from the bonds of the mundane, seeking solace and purification in nature. This is also true for the artist Chen Wei-Bang, who is deeply influenced by Chinese philosophies such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. This exhibition will focus on the theme of " New Sixteen Views of Seclusion" and will showcase a series of 16 works that share the name of the exhibition.

The "Sixteen Views" refers to sixteen different contemplative practices derived from the Buddhist classic "Amitabha Sutra," serving as a method of spiritual cultivation. In the face of the impermanence of worldly affairs, practitioners observe and understand the infinite realms of Dharma and beings through specific meditative visualization, aiming for the purification and elevation of the mind. The late Ming master Chen Hongshou used "Sixteen Views" as the subject for his paintings, evolving a literati version of these sixteen contemplations, and integrated the concepts of eremitism from Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism into his work, naming it "Sixteen Views of Seclusion."

Meanwhile, Clement Chan combined and simplified the two versions of "Sixteen Views," transforming and adapting them into a new series titled "New Sixteen Views of Seclusion." His experience studying in the United States, along with a deep appreciation for Chinese aesthetics, has led Clement Chan to develop a unique personal style that merges Western Neo-Expressionist abstract painting with the poetic qualities of Chinese landscape art, which can often appear both elusive and tangible. In comparison to the artist's previous works, expressive ink brushstrokes weave throughout this series—visually presenting the exquisite and humorously symbolic narrative of Chen Hongshou's "Sixteen Views," which includes visits to Zhuangzi, watching the sunrise, and grinding ink for tea. The lotus flower, representing the Zen Buddhist pure land, serves as a continuous thread throughout, showcasing various styles and appearances, oscillating between transcendence and engagement with the world.

On the canvas, the lightweight acrylic and ink reveal clear brush strokes, with interwoven marks, strokes, and colors constructing a scene rich in the wildness of abstract expressionism and the exuberance of highly expressive ink painting within a limited space. This results in a joyful, luminous, and vibrant composition reminiscent of a "Transformation Diagram." For the artist, retreating does not equate to solitude or desolation. The "Sixteen Views" are not merely a means of escapism or superficial consolation; they embody the vitality, rhythm, and joy of liberation and transcendence.