Simply Nature 1997: Chae Chang-Wan by Sankar Majumdar

 

Simply Nature 1997

by James C.W.Chae

Calcutta, India 

 

 

CHAE, CHANG-WAN'S PAINTINGS

May 27~June 1, 1997

Birla Academy of Art and Culture

108, Southern Avenue, Calcutta - 700 029. INDIA 

 

 

Simply Nature-Surprise Not #1. oil on paper. 18x19.5cms. 1996.

 

 

Chae Chang-Wan

 

THE STATESMAN

Fri. 4 Jul 1997

Chae Chang-Wan (Birla Academy) is a talented painter from the technical point of view. By technique is not meant mere colour application but a measured mental activity which decides on valance and poise and the choreography of form distribution. In all this Chang-Wan showed a mature mind for one quite young (born 1967). Chang-Wan is a Korean artist who is studying in Santiniketan and his semi abstract paintings certainly projected peace if in a somewhat lugubrious manner.

Simply Nature-Jockey #2. oil on paper. 21x17.5cms. 1996.

There is a certain kind of art that does not immediately attract the eye but which on closer examination reveals a lot to admire. Chang-Wan belongs to this category. In a group exhibition his paintings would be ignored but in a solo they gave ample opportunity for the eye to establish a friendship.

 

It is not clear if Chang-Wan has any experience of pottery but his art certainly simulates the glaze and texture of pottery on canvas. The subdued, understated colours which look fascinating on a plate or a vase looked somewhat monotonous as the eye traveled across a large number of works, small and standard painting. Yet at certain moments his forms attracted attention, the dry remains of a flower, the door, the totem like shapes and the swan-arrow. Certainly worth watching. The art of a painter who seems too bottled up to assign the place youth should give to spontaneity.  ■ By Sankar Majumdar

 

Simply Nature-A Bird #1. oil on paper. 20x19.5cms. 1996.

Simply Nature-Clay Jar #1. oil on paper. 19x20.5cms. 1996.

Simply Nature-Clay Jar #2. oil on paper. 19.5x19cms. 1996.

Simply Nature-Clay Jar #3. oil on paper. 19.5x20cms. 1996.

Simply Nature-Clay Jar #5. oil on paper. 20x18cms. 1997.

Simply Nature-Jockey #1. oil on paper. 20x19cms. 1996.

Simply Nature-A Cow #2. oil on paper. 17.5x19.5cms. 1997.

Simply Nature-A Cow #1. oil on paper. 18x20.5cms. 1997.

Simply Nature-A Dog. oil on paper. 20x18cms. 1997.

THE STATESMAN, Fri. 4 Jul 1997