Different creative mediums can lead to different artistic modes, where “paintings” are generally considered as two-dimensional art pieces. However, as early as the late 16th century, artists began to explore three-dimensional painting methods to break away from the monotony of flat surfaces. Recently, 15 international contemporary artists also brought works that break the boundaries of the canvas in the “Shape of An Image” exhibition at Woaw Gallery in Central, each exploring artistic possibilities in their own style.
In the late 16th century, artists used the materiality of pigments to highlight the contours of their works, adding texture to give the paintings a sense of volume and dimension. They also replaced traditional brushes and pigments with other tools, developing new creative methods to provide more space for expressing the shape, color, and brightness of the images. Additionally, by varying the strength and speed of their brushstrokes, they conveyed additional emotions on the canvas. As a result, the works transformed from flat to three-dimensional sculptural effects, not only depicting images but also creating the shapes of the images, which is the meaning behind the title of this exhibition, “Shape of an image.”
The “Shape of An Image” exhibition is curated by Sasha Bogojev, editor and writer of “Juxtapoz” magazine, and features artists such as Kim Dorland, Ben Quilty, Jose Lerma, Mahsa Merci, Paco Pomet, Friedrich Kunath, Floris Van Look, Chloe Chiasson, Shaina McCoy, Mr Starcity, Miguel Angel Payano Jr, Moises Salazar, Nicolas Holiber, Christian Rex Van Minnen, and Laura Sanders.
15 artists from around the world, each with their own unique style and techniques, extend their work from flat paintings to sculptures, pushing beyond the visual limits of the canvas. For example, incorporating textures into the canvas as part of the image, using thick layers of paint as sculptural material, and applying impasto techniques to enrich the visual effects of the artwork, while also exploring different perspectives and possibilities of flat paintings.
Spanish painter Paco Pomet modifies old photographs with thick oil paint layers, highlighting the content of the image with monochromatic colors, while Australian painter Ben Quitly and Canadian artist Kim Dorland also demonstrate the use of thick paint techniques.
Artists Laura Sanders and Mr. Starcity, both from the United States, create unique visual effects through their distinctive textures and the way they mix paint with other materials.
Spanish artist Jose Lerma and American artist Shaina McCoy further highlight the image by using thick layers of paint and abstracting to a certain extent, a process that is even more evident in the work of American artist Christian Rex Van Minnen. He is dedicated to exploring the material possibilities of the medium, pushing painting into the realm of sculpture.
American artist Chloe Chiasson is interested in breaking the square format of the canvas, her works are composed of different physical elements and a variety of styles, reminiscent of collages.
Belgian artist Floris Van Look replaces painting with a sculptural approach, using a variety of materials and objects to enhance the volume and dimension of his work. A similar creative method is also fully embodied in the works of African American artist Miguel Angel Payano Jr. He creates mixed media pieces by combining fabrics, fur or found objects, and using techniques such as cutting, sewing, painting, and sculpting.
Date: From now until June 14th
Time: (Tuesday to Saturday) 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: 9 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, Woaw Gallery
圖片來源：Woaw Gallery
