A Journey of Art Exploration: Huang Tsai-Lang's Paintings and Drawings
2023. 08. 12 — 2023. 10. 29
Gallery 202

Curator | Lee Chin-Hsien

Supervisor | Ministry of Culture

Organizer | National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

Introduction

Huang Tsai-Lang’s journey of art exploration has progressed in two ways: one is art administration, and the other is creation of painting. He has used his talent in administration to promote art in society, which has earned a great reputation in the art scene and has made a great contribution. Painting, on the other hand, is a steadfast and ceaseless endeavor throughout his life in spite of his busy schedule. Huang has always been quietly making art, but has seldom published or exhibited his works, which makes it even more commendable. From youthhood to the present day, he has consistently progressed in both ways simultaneously. Because of his active and dedicated efforts in administrative affairs of museums in northern, central and southern Taiwan, his deep understanding of the dissimilar cultural conditions and socio-economic environment in different parts of the island, and his devotion to organizing artistic exchanges between Taiwan and the rest of the world, Huang is fairly aware of contemporary art trends. Consequently, he is extremely clear that one should never refuse to move forward in artistic creation. In order to link up one’s art making with the times, the exploration of painting is as inexorable as it is quintessential. To achieve this goal, Huang has inquired into the aesthetics of Zen philosophy, contemplated on the movement of human body, utilized gold leaf in painting, explored the themes of lingering and tranquility, reflected upon the subject of public art, experimented with floral specimens. Although his work is primarily founded on painting from life, his goal has never been to merely illustrate the appearances but to unveil the stories embedded in the paintings and transform his subject matter through painting.  

Huang’s painting is not confined to color, and human body sketch drawings comprise the largest part of his work, which is an integral body of work that he has ceaselessly created with unreserved and strong brushwork, depicting diverse forms. Among this body of work, his nude sketch drawings not just include exercises for the purpose of improving one’s skills and techniques but also works intending to explore difficult and challenging sculptural forms and meditate on topics of contour and space.

This exhibition is thematically developed along Huang’s exploration of the contemporary time through painting, and is further divided into nine subthemes to respectively trace his early creative style when he was an art student, his artistic thinking when serving as the director of different museums, and his latest works created in retirement, retrospectively as well as comprehensively demonstrating Huang’s multifaceted life after he is relieved from the heavy official duties of administrative tasks to resume the role of painter.