Seoul, SOUTH KOREA — Chinese-Canadian artist Peter Hong-Tsun Chan is captivating art enthusiasts at Kiaf Seoul 2023 with his latest solo presentation titled 'Magic Windows.' His exhibition, running from September 6th to September 10th, 2023, offers a surreal exploration of the elusive nature of media and its profound influence on the formation of cultural identities.
Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Hong Kong's emigrant history, Chan embarks on a journey through the intricate interplay between chance and determinism as he delves into the dynamics of social identities. In his distinctive style, he employs digital screens as symbolic gateways to a distorted realm of prosperity, capturing pivotal moments of apparent triumph. Notable pieces include 'Winning in the Walled City, 2023,' where the protagonist of a Hong Kong film revels in a victorious hand of Mahjong, and 'Finding Gold Mountain, 2023,' offering a tantalizing glimpse of the California Gold Rush era. Through these juxtapositions of media-generated imagery and real-world landscapes, Chan skillfully portrays migration as an aspirational journey fueled by media's influence.
 |
| ▲ Peter Hong-Tsun Chan, Memoirs of Migration 移⺠的記憶, 2023, Oil on canvas, 152x203cm, Photo by Sims Green |
Visually, Chan's 'Magic Windows' series features vivid portrayals of cultural symbols and embraces both historical and contemporary elements of Hong Kong cinema. His art pays homage to surrealist icon René Magritte, with clear influences seen in pieces like 'Bull's Eye (Morning), 2023.' Chan expertly merges the polished aesthetics of Baroque paintings with pixelated elements, symbolizing the lens through which digital screens shape our visual interpretations.
Peter Chan, a Canadian artist based in Toronto, earned his BAA degree from Sheridan College in 2008. His work has graced solo and group exhibitions in global art hubs such as Paris, Hawaii, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montreal, Hong Kong, and Toronto. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Chan shares his knowledge as an instructor at OCAD University, Sheridan College, and Seneca College. Notably, his art found a place in the 2019 collection of Art with Heart Auction at the Art Gallery of Ontario and has garnered recognition in publications like Ming Pao and The Globe & Mail newspaper.
 |
| ▲ Peter Hong-Tsun Chan,Zoom 2 縮放 2, 2023, 25x20cm, Photo by SayArt Sims GREEN. |
In his previous body of work, titled "Ideals and Traditions," Chan explored critical themes inspired by his travels through East Asia, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Through the lens of autobiography, he masterfully distorted and reassembled imagery to craft compositions that offered fresh narratives and deeper meaning. This collection delved into themes of superstition, identity, popular culture, traditions, and gender ideologies, featuring a blend of contemporary figures juxtaposed against both historical and modern settings.
 |
| ▲ Peter Hong-Tsun Chan, Winning in the Walled City 在城寨中獲勝, 2023, Oil on canvas, 121x91cm, Photo by SayArt Sims GREEN. |
In the meantime, Peter Chan's exhibition at KIAF 2023 has been curated by the contemporary art gallery 'Odds and Ends,' hailing from Hong Kong. Established in 2021, this vibrant gallery is committed to fostering the development of up-and-coming artists, with a particular emphasis on supporting talents from the Asian diaspora.
The interview with Peter Chan was conducted by reporter Sims Green.
Sayart.net
Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Sims Green, sims010@naver.com
