PUBLISHED November 13th, 2014 12:18 pm | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
Chan Hampe Galleries is proud to present Ataraxy, an exhibition of new work by Ruben Pang.
Ataraxy, Ruben Pang’s 5th solo exhibition, extracts creative energy from disarray and entropy, thus realizing the state of tranquility the term implies. In each painting, various artistic personalities find themselves in psychodramatic scenarios with their subconscious drives personified through figures in constant change, sometimes playing host to parasitic vegetation, other times surgically reconfigured and twisted into conversations with one another and their surroundings.
This series develops on Pang’s interest in the introspective creative process. The paintings portray creators in the midst of contemplation, decision making, and other obstacles; for example, the compulsive method actor juggling various states of mind in Holding it Together. In Building the Triad, three musicians trample and contort around each other and a tuning fork, searching for that elusive plum that borders dissonance and harmony. Passenger presents a listless figure in the heterotopic state found between sleep and waking, projecting its dream scenario into the surrounding environment. Using a combination of oil and acrylic on aluminum composite panel, Pang seeks to optimize the strength of each material—acrylic to quickly explore compositions, and oil to create atmosphere and complete each piece.
Pang finds affinities and luminaries in both historical and fictional artists, these works attempt to connect the dots and unravel the underlying significance of and between the subjects he consistently finds himself drawn to. In this sense, Ataraxy can be considered a collection of annotations in which the artist finds sanctuary.
Ataraxy runs from 16 January 2015 until 8 February 2015 at Chan Hampe Galleries, located at Raffles Hotel Arcade #01-21, 328 North Bridge Road. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am – 7pm. Admission is free. For enquires please call 6338 1962.
Opening Night: Friday, 16 January 2015, 7-9pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, 25 January 2015, 2pm