Confronted by the ever-evolving modern society, artist Tang Ying Chi steps back to observe development of city life in today’s metropolis. Making use of digital projections of self-taken photographs, Tang wanders into the busy streets of Hong Kong with a fresh perspective. The primitively emotional way of painting, recreated by incorporating technology opens up a unique dialogue between traditional painting and digital imaging. Artworks displayed in the exhibition include 3 series of the artist’s acrylic paintings, containing 17 pieces.
“Happy Day at WKCD 2013.5.5” is a series of 7. Inspiration emerges from the artist’s visit in May 2013 to an exhibition in West Kowloon Cultural District, where a random collection of people taking snapshots of themselves with exhibits resulted in a playful collection of paintings on canvas. Tang stays behind her camera lens, transforming these people into photographic subjects, capturing their most natural presence. Through digital projections, the works unfolds onto a unique spatial dimension that reaches beyond the original photographs.
“Matching the Streets People in Hong Kong” is a series of 7, stemming from a series of photographs taken from various time and places. The artist believes that streets are like homes for people living in cities. They spend a lot of time on the streets, where they carrying out most of their daily routines. Tang uses technology to manipulate her subjects on canvas, arranging and rearranging people from different time and space, combining figurative space into abstract white backgrounds. With her subjects “uniting” on her canvas, they become a vivid reflection of city life.
Last but not least, the series includes “Central District”, “Reclaimed Land at Central 2010.7.10” and “Yau Ma Tei (1997-8)”. Tang uses digital projection to portray cityscape surging with vibrant colors. Viewers are encouraged to recombine images in their mind in accordance with the 3 series to recreate an impression of the city of their own.
Image: © Tang Ying Chi, Voxfire Gallery
