Nature Speaks to Itself
Solo exhibition of local artist James Chu at St. Paul’s Fine Art
S
ince its opening in November of last year, the gallery at St. Paul’s Fine Art has been offering us exhibitions by various artists from Macau. In its attempt to create a base for the local art market, the association Art for All (AFA) is committing itself not only to organising events in the gallery but also to producing art works that are true assets for any possible dealings.
The gallery’s fourth exhibition, “Soliloquy of Nature” , opens this month, presenting the latest art work by James Chu Cheok Son. Director of the AFA association, James Chu has been working as a cultural administrator for the last ten years. People usually think of him as an exhibition planner or curator at the Macau Art Museum, but he is an artist, as well, his last solo exhibition dating back to 2001. In the intervening seven years, James dedicated himself to a path that was less artistic than, in fact, administrative. “Sometimes I would get into a sentimental mood and think that I have been ‘sacrificing’ my own art work to help prepare the future art world Macau artists need. I told myself that administrative planning could also be considered an art. I still think so, in fact. But deep down, I know my dream is still to be a full-time artist.” So in January 2008 James made the decision to quit the Macau Art Museum, in order to achieve his long-awaited plan. Since that time he has been preparing his second solo exhibition. “This time is different. Back in 2001 my works were still in the experimental phase. Most of them were installations, and I wanted to try out many different things. This time, I can feel that it’s a fresh start.”
In “Soliloquy of Nature”, James presents a series of paintings, outdoor sculptures and indoor video installations. All these different media are linked by the same theme: Nature. One would think it a peculiar choice of subject for a man who has been working exclusively inside an office. But as we look closer, we soon find out that James’ Nature is not without restraint. A series of abstract paintings were made, titled according to some of the 24 solar terms (二十四節氣) of the Chinese Luni-solar calendar. Each of these solar terms matches a particular astronomical event or signifies some natural phenomenon on a specific date of the year. For instance, “Spring Shower” (雨水 / rain water) happens on the 19th of February, “Vernal Equinox” (春分 / spring division) is on the 21st of March, and “Corn Forms” (小滿 / grain full) is on the 21st of May. It is in this way that Nature is being organised. The paintings’ variation in form and size shows the artist’s effort to grasp the fleeting impression of seasonal change. Represented with distinctive colours and textures, Nature is being captured. A “sacrifice” indeed; for the sake of new creation maybe?
And then the artist goes further. Installations of birdcages and a video projection of a virtual aquarium are set up in different places in the building. The display of the works, however, has been expanded from the traditional exhibition space of the gallery to the rooftop bar area and even out into the streets. The contradiction is delicate but present. On one hand we have the notion of Nature and Freedom as the backdrop, but on the other hand, Captivity and Confinement are unavoidably involved. Swinging between the raw and the refined, the artist is trying to release his true nature by acquiring equilibrium in this world of rules and order.
And if God indeed created man in His own image, then man in turn, cannot escape from his own character. The exhibition “Soliloquy of Nature” is a clear statement by the artist on his own existing condition. Living in a rapidly developing city, people’s impression of Nature is becoming more and more
obscure. Sophisticated inter-human relationships that have been turned into power struggles between individuals have led to the oblivion of our true nature of interdependence. And the artist tries to make the best out of what is there, inside the prison of ultimate loneliness in our urban legend of progress and development.
Organized by the association “Art for All” and sponsored by Macau Foundation, the exhibition “Soliloquy of Nature - works by James Chu” will have its opening ceremony at St. Paul’s Fine Art on Sunday the 11th of May, 2008 at 5 p.m. Cocktail and Jazz performance is also organized for the audience.
“St Paul’s Fine Art” is situated at the foot of the Ruins of St. Paul at Travessa de S. Paulo. The exhibition will be available from 11th of May to 15th of June, opened daily from 12:00 midday to 8 pm, except Monday. For more information, please contact: 2842 2842.
