Chiang Yomei
A Space Elsewhere
November 30–December 29, 2013
Opening: November 30, 4:30–7pm
Tina Keng Gallery
1F, No. 15 Ln. 548,
Ruiguang Rd., Neihu Dist.
Taipei 114
Taiwan
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10am–7pm,
Saturday–Sunday 11am–7pm
T +886 (0) 2 2659 0798
info [at] tinakenggallery.com
Tina Keng Gallery (Taipei) is delighted to present the most recent work of Chiang Yomei in the exhibition A Space Elsewhere–Chiang Yomei Solo Exhibition, which will be on view from November 30 to December 29 (opening reception on Saturday, November 30, from 4:30 to 7pm). A Space Elsewhere will include oil paintings and works on paper from 2011 to 2013, as well as the installations I can see what I am (2013) from the “Famen” series, which are in the same series with the redevelopment project of the Famen Temple complex in Xi’an, China.
The exhibition’s title stems from the French philosopher Gaston Bachelard’s book The Poetic Space (1958), in which he evocatively states, “As soon as we become motionless, we are [elsewhere]; we are dreaming in a world that is immense.” Chiang’s works reflect her embrace of and enchantment by the indefinite and the boundless, and represent a world that is filled with freedom and possibilities. For Chiang, the process of making art is not only a spiritual diary and self-exploratory, but also indicates her desire to communicate with the audience, breaking down the boundaries between individuals and their surroundings. In I can see what I am from the “Famen” series, the endless reflections between two mirrors signify the “ultimate view,” with the inverted image of a person meant to imply “relative reality.”
Simultaneously, the illusory space between the two parallel mirrors also indicates the nature of rebirth, and the transcendence of the configuration of life and death. To Chiang, life is impermanent and fluid, and her works evoke its ephemeral nature and emphasize the elusiveness of identity. The realization and appreciation of this elusiveness is the purest impetus behind Chiang Yomei’s works.
About Chiang Yomei
Chiang Yomei was born in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1961, and now lives and works in London. In 1984, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury, double-majoring in History and Theory of Art and English Literature. After Kent, she continued to study Chinese Art History at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Since 1989 Chiang has been focused on the fine arts and in 1994 received another BA, this time in Fine Art, from the Winchester School of Art. As a devoted Buddhist, she also nurtures her strong interest in philosophy, psychology, mythology as well as quantum physics, the pursuit of which along with her great love of music, film, and literature have become inextricably linked to her creative work. Notable exhibitions include the solo shows Spark at the Tina Keng Gallery, Taipei and Beijing (2011) and On Board the Lotus Express at the Maya Gallery, London (2007); the group show Panorama of a New Generation (2001) at Bernard Chauchet Contemporary Art, London, and the installations and performances Falling Out of Time (1996) in London and Heal Me (1994) in Taipei.
For additional information and images, please visit www.tinakenggallery.com or contact Connie Chen at info [at] tinakenggallery.com.
