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Intimate Portrait
#NoPainNoFilterKen Chan (L6-05)
In your work, you often depict the seemingly inconspicuous, like everyday objects or withered plants. Any particular reason for painting scenes like that?
When I observe such objects and plants, it feels as though I could see shadows or traces of memories. And their shape, texture and story would evoke certain thoughts in me. They create powerful sensations that I intuitively know are important and that I must express them through painting.
Road signages (like traffic cone, traffic lights, safety cordon, hazard warning sign, etc) are recurrent elements in your work. Are they for conveying certain messages or feelings to the viewer?
The signs lose their actual function when they appear in the artwork, and only retain remnants of their essence and meaning. They may signify warning, rejection or regulation; or create scenes and narratives in the way they are positioned and angled; or reflect subconscious struggles. I believe that the freedom for viewers to draw their own meaning and conclusion from paintings is what makes art fascinating.
Any special tips or techniques for painting with oil? What do you find most challenging in the process?
I am rather meticulous about the use of colour and the overall effect of my painting, so my requirement for lighting the studio is quite specific. Since I mostly work at night, spotlights are essential. Then once the surface of the painting is touch dry, I might adjust the colour and sheen by oiling out certain areas, taking great care as any heavy-handedness might ruin the piece. The process is repeated until the desired effect is achieved. The work is long arduous and quite a test of patience.
In your human-centric works, the depiction of hands is a recurrent theme. Any special messages you want to convey?
Hands are not the only human connection in my paintings. Other anatomical elements can be present, in altered or extracted form, for their directional or associative qualities to create images with messages that connect and resonate with people.
Your works depict rich details. Are you someone who in real life like to look for details to find creative inspiration?
I think that artworks are reflective of the artist’s character – including their personality, emotions, thoughts and experiences. I am not used to seeking external inspiration deliberately. It is more natural for me to find inspiration internally, as I savour life and reflect on people and the society, starting with the moment that I find myself being moved by something I see or something I come across. For me, the creative process is one of introspection and reflection, and the artwork is an encapsulation of the essence distilled from that process.
