ZHANG Jian : Searching 章劍《尋》
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ZHANG Jian 章劍: Searching《尋》 9 December 2020 – 11 February 2021 ZHANG’s art practice is informed by both impressionism and abstract expressionism. His paintings capture the light and atmosphere of outdoor sceneries using energetic brushstrokes with brilliant colours. Having grown up in the countryside, he has fond memories of nature and has been greatly inspired by it. Currently residing in the city of Beijing, he is still able to connect to nature and enjoy the greenery in urban areas by spending time at the seaside, city parks and outdoor recreational sites. Since the early 2000s, ZHANG has been using photographic images as visual references for his works. The artist employs smooth, broad strokes to depict abstract impressions of daily life. He vividly captures ordinary outdoor sceneries and activities in the city’s public areas, such as a green city park with a runner jogging along a shaded walkway; lush hillside with family and friends enjoying a day out; and poolside with sunbathers relaxing in a summer afternoon. These scenes resemble the photographic memories of the simple and joyous moments of our lives. In contrary to his treatment of natural spaces with open landscapes and ambiguous human figures, another series amplifies the lively colours and ever-changing energy of nature. In the “Flower” series, a lavish mix of flowers and plants grow vigorously and occupy the entire canvases. His other works are emotionally charged, with bold, dynamic lines and outlandish colours in complex compositions. While his works “Time” and “Searching” are undoubtedly portrayals of life in nature, the prominent presence of the lone figure in each painting suggests that these landscapes are perhaps a reflection of the human’s inner state of mind. 章劍的繪畫實踐源自印象派和抽象表現主義，作品細緻地捕捉美好的郊野風光與戶外氛圍，用色鮮艷且筆觸充滿活力。章劍在鄉郊長大，對大自然有着美好的回憶並深受啟發。雖然藝術家現居於北京鬧市中，但空閒時仍然盡量抽空到戶外和海邊，感受城市中的大自然氣息。 章劍自2000年代初起開始使用照片作為作品構圖參考，以抽象的手法和流暢的筆觸描繪各種生活日常。他生動地捕捉城市裏日常的景觀：例如公園裏沿著健身徑緩步跑的市民；在青葱山坡上共聚天倫的家庭和遊人；在泳池邊曬日光浴的泳客等。這些作品如攝影般捕捉了一幕幕簡單而美好的生活景象。 與照片系列的寬廣大自然景觀和身份模糊的人物不同，藝術家另一個系列集中描繪大自然生氣蓬勃的色彩和千變萬化的活力。在《花》系列中，各種鮮花與植物盤據了整個畫面。章劍的其他作品的構圖則更為複雜，運用扭曲的線條及大膽的色調形成充滿層次的畫面。作品《時間》和《尋》的風景雖然也是一種日常生活的寫照，然而畫中的風景和獨處的人物，則彷彿表達出一種內在的精神狀態。 
CloseToCulture, January 2021
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