Preface
For its second exhibition in 2016, AFA invited established artist from Macau Tong Chong to show his latest artworks. Including 26 paintings, the "Wilderness series" features animals as heroes. The paintings are composed of bright colours and lively outlines. At the first glance, the images of vivid and lovely animals offer a sense of joyfulness. At a closer look, we would realize that all the animals are in the position of running. "Why are they running? Where are they running to?" I asked Tong Chong. He said, "They are being evicted by human beings." I took another look at the paintings; saw the funny expressions on the running animals' faces and wondered how they could still smile in an eviction like this one that we are having on Earth. The paintings remind me of a Cantonese saying for children, "Run, run fast to the good world! Or else you might have your nose lost!!" In reality, where human beings are destroying the natural environment, the animals do not merely lose their noses but are being forced to sheer extinction.
The wilderness depicted by the artist is a bit remote, as if in a desert, with a few clouds and occasional rain, or even tornado. Four piglets are seen running under the polar aurora and penguins are seen sliding on ice land.
Tong Chong, Three Birds, 2015; Chinese Painting Pigment on Canvas, 53.5 x 72.5 cm
Tong Chong said that during the development of human society, men have created conflicts with the Nature. We have took and destroyed the Nature's resources without consideration for other species. If we don't kill the animals we would just lock them into the zoo. In the paintings we can see that the animals are running and floating above the ground without a place to settle down.
The imagery created by the artist appears to be so lovely. However, the reality that it reflects is ugly.
Tong Chong's talent is to combine the opposites together. His mature skill is inseparable to his innocent aspiration. Without the former the latter would appear to be naive and childish, and without the latter the former would be meaningless. And the mystery is the fact that it is impossible to pretend the innocence of a child's heart. Let us see how Tong Chong, stepping into his 40th year of age, depicts so naturally the cuteness of these innocent animals, and mixes colours so light and refreshing that when one watches these images one would smile from the bottom of the heart. And from there our care of the world is inspired.
These are the intentions behind "The Good World" of Tong Chong, so that we can reflect upon reality with a smile, and maybe go on to change the world with the love and care we feel from watching these lovely paintings.
Tong Chong, Wilderness 4, 2015; Acrylic on Canvas, 47 x 34 cm
Alice Kok
Curator
About the exhibition
Date: April 27 – May 21, 2016
Venue: Art for All Society, Macau
Coutesy of the artist and Art for All Society, for further information please visit www.afamacau.com.
