紐約 －Crossing Art Project將於2018 年 4月19日至2018年 4 月26日舉辦藝術家陳承衛在紐約的首次個展《尋光》。
本次展覽中，陳承衛將帶來他創作的一系列以光為主題的作品。從最初靜謐的自然之光，到加強視覺效果的戲劇之光，
最後昇華到對於人性之光的探究， 在陳承衛的作品中，光是永恆不變的主題。
從15至16世紀開始，歐洲藝術家們就開始研究光線在繪畫，尤其是自畫像中的運用。
陳承衛受到這些巴洛克時期藝術家繪畫風格的影響，他也偏好於以強烈的明暗對比法來提升畫作的戲劇性。
在其作品《一個研究光的男子》中，陳承衛至少呈現了5種不同的光。他先將左手中手電筒的光照到鏡子上,
然後通過持在右手的鏡子將光折射到臉上, 此外還有蠟燭的光，以及牆面上鏡子中映照出的燭光。
而觀眾的視線在藝術家有意識的引導下，不停的尋找新的光源。在這樣的互動下， 不僅是藝術家本人，
連同畫作前的觀眾也身臨其境般地成為了「研究光的人」。
在這個數字化時代，以及各種快文化充斥的當下, 陳承衛堅持以傳統的經典油畫技法, 巧妙結合東西方傳統繪畫中的多種元素,
並用具象的表現手法對於他筆下的人物進行貼切的描述，從而營造出獨樹一幟的具有中國韻味的繪畫風格。同時，他
大膽運用各種光線及強烈的明暗對比將人物內心的感受以一種充滿戲劇性的方式呈現給觀眾。陳承衛說：“我敬重世
間的一草一木一縷陽光, 我認為光線可以將黑暗的地方撕成碎片, 光線可以使畫面充滿希望。” 因此，觀眾往往能
在畫面中感受到藝術家對於逝去時光的追憶，以及珍惜當下的感嘆。
New York - Crossing Art Project is pleased to announce an exhibition by the emerging Chinese
artist Chen Chengwei - The Chase of Light, which will be on view from April 19 to April 26, 2018.
For his first solo exhibition in NYC, Chen will present a latest series of oil paintings based on
the theme of light. Mastered the tranquility of the natural light in his landscape painting, Chen
further applied chiaroscuro (Italian: the dramatic use of light) in his still life and self-portraits,
and eventually elevated the use of light in his work to signify the nobility in human nature. In
Chen’s work, light is the central theme that he explores. he Inner Light of Man
Deeply inspired by 15th and 16th century European artists, such as Rembrandt, Jan van Eyck,
and Caravaggio, Chen not only used light as a medium to enhance the visual effect of his work,
he transformed the light into the main subject on his canvas. In the painting A Man Who Studies Light (2012),
Chen captured more than five light sources. Starting from the flashlight holding in artist's left hand,
whose beam radiates on the mirror holding his right hand, then comes the dim candle light, which
immediately reflected by the mirror on the wall, and eventually the stream that cast on artist's face,
Chen created a sense of mystery and tension in his painting that engaged viewers to actively trace the new
source of light. With his extraordinary techniques, Chen well blended the iconicity and narrativity in a single
painting, which enable viewers to experience time, space and drama all at once.Through such interactive viewing
process, not only the artist, but also audience immerse themselves into the painting, and become the men who
studies the light and the sensitivity of the inner light of man.
When countering the challenge of the popular culture in the digital age, Chen insists on following the traditional techniques of classic oil painting instead
of pursuing trendy concepts.
Chen blends various elements from eastern and western cultures into a single painting, and depict his subject matters in a photorealistic fashion, and
thus create his unique style of art, which stuns viewers with it timeless beauty. Yet again through light, Chen not only highlights the theatrical theme
of his work that evoke the emotional response from the audience but also he freezes the very moment that recalls their nostalgic memories. As Chen
said, “ I respect every tree and bush, even a wisp of sunshine. I believe that light can tear the darkness into pieces and bring us hope.”
自序
每一次的个展,我都非常重视。因为我相信每一次的个展都是某种缘分的开始，用中国古代智者的话来说:因缘际会，事物的存在与发生都有它的道理。
这几年我开始尝试一些新的探索，比如这批关于光线的作品，我希望这些单元的探索能够加深我对绘画创作的理解。我对身边的一切充满了好奇，我画我感兴趣的事物，比如这次展览中的自画像、我父母结婚时候用过的家具、我偶然遇到的夜景以及我亲手摘的茶花、还有我曾经遇到过的人......所有的事物都与我产生关系，我对世界的认识都反应在我的作品当中，它们也因为我的再创造而被永恒的记录在画布上。我甚至对一些更为抽象的事物同样感兴趣，比如时间，比如记忆，这些都能够在我此次展览的作品中找到一些痕迹。
我希望我的作品是永恒的，我并不想去追求一些潮流的概念，我更愿意描绘那些更深层次的事物。从小我便具有冒险精神，我更愿意在充满多元化的国家和地区举办我的画展，因为我觉得这样的反差本身就是一个很有意思的事情，在一个充满前卫艺术的地方，举办一个具象的画展，我觉得很过瘾。
我敬重世间的一草一木一缕阳光，我认为光线可以将黑暗的地方撕成碎片，光线可以使画面充满希望。本次展览的作品来自于过去几年的一些探索，光线是我作品的一大特点，假如没有了光，绘画将变得乏味。如果观众能够从我的作品中看到一些共鸣，我很开心，我觉得这就足够了。
陈承卫
2017年12月24日于中国
Personal Statement
Believing in some sort of tie, I take each solo exhibition seriously. As an old Chinese saying goes, things have their own reason for their very existence.
I have set out for some new explorations during recent years, such as these light-themed works. I hope it will deepen my understanding on painting creation. I keep eyes on everything around me and draw things I’m interested in. Such works include the self portraits in this exhibition, the furniture used by my parents when they got married, the night scene and people I occasionally encountered and the camellia I picked. All things are related to me, and my works aim to convey my interpretation of the world.Hopefully, by recording my words on canvas, they will be alive forever. I believe I have a curious mind concerning abstract concepts, such as time and memory. Some of my exhibited works should leave clues for you as to why I’ve created them in such forms.
I hope my works can stand the test of time. Rather than in pursuit of trendy concepts, I prefer something deeper. Being adventurous and susceptible to break common rules since an early age, I’d like to hold my art exhibitions in countries or regions that advocate diversified culture. I find joy in holding exhibitions in these places and I hope in doing so, I am representing my works better.
Nothing should be neglected, blades of grass and rays of sunshine have great merit in my eyes. I believe light rids us of the dark and brings us hope. My works exhibited this time represent discoveries of the past few years and you will see that light is a common theme. Without light, my paintings cannot come to life. I will be extremely satisfied in knowing my works have evoked an emotional response from the audience.
Chengwei Chen
December 24th, 2017 in China
