The Face of Nature

Yosifu
The Face of Nature
2012
Acrylic on canvas
Size 60cm x 80cm

“Mother Earth, what has caused the shock and sadness on your face? 

How can we make you smile again?”

In Yosifu's series of Aboriginal, my favorite one is “The Face of Nature”. It was his new artwork finished in 2012. I chose this artwork for my final paper because I think this is the most typical one which totally shows his painting style -- a simple facade but hiding serious social commentary.

From the simple façade of this artwork, it describes a young aboriginal girl was panic and shock at the moment she saw that her own land was destroyed by the commercial exploitation when she came back from the north. From a deeper façade of this artwork, the young aboriginal girl was a metaphor of the Mother Nature. She was shock and upset because of all those harming pollution which made by human beings.

Most importantly, Yosifu wants to express his discontents regarding to the Miramar Resort project in this painting. It is a build-operate-transfer development project which began in 2004 on a 6 hectare area by the beach of Shanyuan Bay, even though it did not pass an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in advance as was required (Lee, 2012). This place not only provides the most beautiful beach for the public, but also is the traditional living domain of the Amis. From Yosifu’s perspective, the program should be torn down because it will damage the ecology of the unspoiled coast and will affect the way of living of the tribes. He encourages the public to stand up for the protection of the bay in order to prevent it from being abused for commercial interests through his painting.


References:

Lee, I. (2012, September 25). Miramar resort should be torn down: Epa minister. Retrieved from http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/09/25/2003543624

Asia Hotel Art Fair Hong Kong 2013

It is an interesting experience to take part in the Asia Hotel Art Fair. It showcases over 3000 artworks from more than 60 artists from different countries such as Hong Kong, China, Japan and Korea. 

Stepping into different hotel rooms just like stepping into different artist’s homes. Sometimes they were chatting with friends; it felt weird for me to enter their rooms as I may disturb their conversations. Sometimes they were just staring at you when you were passing through their rooms. Despite these conditions, I found quite interesting to explore their rooms. It was great to talk with them and ask them questions toward their artworks. They were friendly indeed. 

Li Yi Bing

Meditation

2011

Acrylic on canvan

This painting with strong and vibrant colors drew my attention quickly. A question sprung up in my mind. “What is he thinking of?” My friend said that of course he was thinking about food because he was fat. After reading the leaflet, I realized that there is a meaningful message behind the artwork. This painting is belonged to the series of “Tycoon”. It criticizes a group of nouveau-riche who has made it up the social ladder financially yet handicapped in social etiquette and attire. It is a common social phenomenon in China.

     Regis Gonzalez                                                                        Yosifu  
A Tale of Two Children                                                                  Satisifed      
       2011                                                                                       2012
              Oil & Acrylic on canvas                                                 Oil & Acrylic on canvas       

The artwork on the left hand side is "A tale of two children" by Regis Gonzalez. It is another artwork which impressed me a lot. This artwork is quite creepy. Its title is “A tale of two children” but there are actually three children. When I looked at it more carefully, I found that the little girl stands in the middle without legs. It sent shivers down my spine at that moment.

On the right hand side is the 2012 new work of Yosifu. It is a surprise for me to see Yosifu’s artworks there! His artworks are really unique and beautiful as they involve the element of Taiwan aboriginal culture. In this painting, the man looks very happy as he catches three fishes. It conveys the happiness and satisfaction of the Amis and Tao tribes toward their simple lifestyle. They follow the rhythm of nature, only taking what they need, never over-hunting or over-fishing. 

Narate Kathong
Feeling & First Autumn
2012
Oil & Acrylic on canvas

Narate Kathong
Autumn Red
2011
Oil & Acrylic on canvas

Narate Kathong
Romance In The Winter III
2011
Oil & Acrylic on canvas

I really appreciate the series of “The Season of Love” by Narate Kathong. His artworks are stunningly beautiful. As a beginner in oil painting, it is amazing for me to see these masterpieces. The warm and cheerful colors of his paintings evoke a feeling of peace and tranquility. I hope I can create my own series of “Season of love” in the future! ^_^

Around Sound Art Festival

Most of the exhibitions I have visited were painting and photo galleries. It was new for me to visit a exhibition regarding sounds in Kwun Tong Ferry Pier. I was quite confused when I stepped into this place as the place seemed noting special. However, everything became interesting when the artists started to perform. 

The first performance was by Akio Suzuki and Hiromi Miyakita. Mr.Suzuki started his art work by hammering nails into woods.  I watched the progress intently without noticed that Miss Miyakita was laying on the floor. I was stunned at the moment I saw her because I do know why she was laying there immovably. Then, she changed to different gestures while Mr.Suzuki produced sounds through hammering the nails. It took quite a long time for him to hammer the nails one by one. After that, he started to knock the nails. He looked like playing a musical instrument. And Mr.Suzuki started to dance with the music. It was interesting because the two artists were communicating without touching and talking but through sounds and movements.

The second performance seemed like a extension of the first one. Miss Miyakita was dancing with some bottles filled with water. Sounds were created while the water spilled from the bottles, and formed chaotic pattern on the floor. She looked tipsy. Meanwhile, Mr Suzuki blew or knocked the bottles to make sounds. They were communicating with sounds and movements again. A scene sprung up in my mind. Mr. Suzuki was calling Miss Miyakita to go home.

I felt quite relaxing during these two performances. The sounds they created were pleasant. Frankly, I cannot fully understand what are the meanings behind these performances. Anyways, it is a good experience for me to appreciate the art regarding sounds.

Yosifu 優席夫

Yosifu is a Taiwanese fine art painter. He belongs to the Ami Tribe of the aboriginal. When he was young, his dream was to be a singer in Taiwan. However, he did not obtain any good opportunity. Therefore, he moved to the United Kingdom. He now lives and works mainly in Edinburgh; and he has participated and held a lot of art festival and exhibitions in both Europe and Asia. His work has become popular and is currently sold or held by private collectors from Scotland, England, Australia, Brazil, Canada etc.

I would like to choose Yosifu as my artist because I am interested in Taiwan aboriginal culture; and he is the first or only artist who promoting Taiwan aboriginal culture in Europe. In his painting, he focuses on the strong use of colors. The simple facade of his painting often hiding serious social commentary. I think his artworks are so inspiring and meaningful.

Reference : http://www.yosifu.com/

Fotanian Open Studios 2013

It was my first time to visit the studios of artists. There were actually more than a hundred studios and three hundred artists participated this year. For me, it was a good chance to explore their workplaces and to hear about their artworks and art-making techniques.

The most impressive studio I visited was Qiáng. It is a studio of five female artists, AMA, Au Hoi Lam, Tsang Chui Mei, Carmen Ho and Vivian Poon. The theme of their exhibition is “A Perfect Circle”. It means rebuilding relationship and renewal faith for intimacy in life.

The exhibition encompassed different media, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, mixed media, installations etc.

Carmen Ho

Wandering Outside 01

2008-2012

Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

Carmen Ho

Wandering- Concrete 01

2012

Plants, glass vase, concrete, wood

I really like Carmen Ho’s artworks in this exhibition. Her artworks feature a love of nature compared with the high-density, noisy and concrete living in Hong Kong. Real flowers and small human figurines are used in her artwork to represent the relationship between nature and the oppressive urban environment. The whole artwork spreads the message of love and  protects our nature.

AMA
The Sockets in my home
2012
Oil, pencil drawing & engravings on wood

There were also some interesting artworks. The artist AMA fascinates with ordinary objects which are often neglected by people. These daily objects include door hinges, light switches and sockets. She created a lot of special artworks by giving them life and beauties in order to remind us how important these little objects are.

Indeed, I admire all the artists in the Fotan Studios. They are friendly and delighted to show and share their artworks to us.Most of their works are amazing and enlightening. I literally enjoyed the whole visit.