About the Exhibition
Serving as guest curator, art scholar Chia Chi (Jason) Wang presents the artist's 55-year career from the mid-1960s to the present day. Over the years, Chiang has created different painting series reflecting changes in his working space, living environment and life. Over the past 10 years or more, especially after settling in eastern Taiwan, his painting style has shifted from his customary introspective style with somber, minimalist, even monochromatic compositions, to one of vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes conveying contemplative observations of nature and life experiences.
This retrospective includes completely new paintings and three-dimensional works, affording a full view of the abundant creative energy of one of Taiwan’s senior artists.
Special Thanks: The Alliance Cultural Foundation
About Paul Chiang
Born in 1942 in Taichung, Taiwan, Paul Chiang is celebrated as one of the country's leading abstractionists, with a career that spans nearly six decades. His artistic journey includes representing Taiwan at the São Paulo Art Biennial in 1965 and dedicating almost three decades to his craft in Paris and New York. Upon his return to Taiwan in the late 1990s, Chiang chose to make his home on the east coast, in Taitung County, where he continues to live and create.
Chiang's early works showcase his affinity for abstract expression through simple lines, monochromatic tones, and an emphasis on texture and layering with pigments, reflecting his commitment to abstract art and the challenges of an artistic life abroad. A significant turn in his career came in 1982 with the Notre Dame de Paris series during a revisit to Paris, marking a pivotal moment in his artistic endeavors. Despite suggestions from a prominent agent in New York to alter his style, Chiang remained true to his path of self-discovery, choosing not to sell his works.
His return to Taiwan in 1998 heralded the unveiling of his notable collection, Hundred Year Temple, marking Chiang's ascent in the art world. This series, imbued with meditative colors, signifies a renewed appreciation and connection with his cultural roots. In 2008, settling in Taiwan's east coast inspired a stylistic evolution in his painting, drawing from the vibrant colors of the local seashore and countryside in series like Pisilian, On Wings of Song, and Jinzun. This period also saw Chiang expanding into sculpture, exploring new dimensions of artistic expression.
Now at 82, Chiang's ongoing work is a homage to nature, classical music, and spiritual exploration. These elements will converge in the "Paul Chiang Art Center," set to open in 2024. This significant cultural park in Taiwan aims to blend art, architecture, and nature, establishing a dialogue between Taitung and the global community.
Exhibition
Paul Chiang : A Retrospective
Date：3.28.2020 ￚ 6.28.2020
Curator：Jason Wang
Reflections of Paul Chiang: A Retrospective
After three months, the Paul Chiang: A Retrospective exhibition ended 28th June 2020. Paul Chiang, a name and face once known primarily to members of the art community became widespread. In total, Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) welcomed over 120,000 visitors.
