Members Only
Please join as a member and click "Members Only" to read more complete articles and exclusive content.
➤ Chao-Liang SHEN, "Drifting", Taitung, Inkjet C Print, Sheet 60 x 75 cm, Frame 69.5 x 84.3 cm, 2020_ed.1_6
" Drifting "(Overture) - Shen Chao-Liang Photography Exhibition
The artist SHEN Chao-Liang is renowned for his distinctive visual language and profound social insights, earning significant acclaim both in Taiwan and internationally. The exhibition 《Drifting (Overture) - Shen Chao-Liang Photography Exhibition》, presented by AKI Gallery, marks the first comprehensive local presentation of SHEN’s "Drifting" series (2015-2024) in Taiwan, following his receipt of the International Award of The Photographic Society of Japan in 2024 and his large-scale retrospective solo exhibition in Japan. This exhibition offers an immersive exploration of SHEN Chao-Liang’s critical examination of Taiwan’s position and identity within both historical and contemporary contexts. It embarks on an intellectual journey that transcends temporal and geographical boundaries.
➤ Chao-Liang SHEN, "Drifting", Taitung, Inkjet C Print, Image 125 x 150 cm, Frame 129 x 159 cm,2020_ed.1of3
➤ Chao-Liang SHEN, "Drifting", New Taipei City, Inkjet C Print, Image 100 x 125 cm, Frame 107 x 132 cm, 2020_ed. 1of3
The "Drifting" series, which has evolved over nearly a decade since its inception in 2015, demonstrates SHEN's unwavering engagement with Taiwan’s complex social fabric and its historical and cultural identity. Through his evocative visual vocabulary and interpretative approach to history and social conditions, The artist offers an intimate portrayal of his deep emotional connection to Taiwan’s land and his ongoing reflections on its multifaceted societal structures. The artist employs Taiwan’s landscapes and cultural symbols as carriers of national identity and historical memory, navigating through time and space to express the emotional turbulence and evolving lives of diverse communities amidst Taiwan’s transformations. In comparison to SHEN’s earlier works, this series broadens and deepens the thematic complexity, addressing a range of issues from colonial history to modern conflicts, from ethnic relations to ecological changes. These intricate and interwoven social, cultural, and historical realities of Taiwan are integrated in the works, guiding viewers through a visually immersive experience imbued with a strong sense of contemporary relevance.
➤ Chao-Liang SHEN, "Drifting", Pingtung, Inkjet C Print, Image 100 x 125 cm, Frame 107 x 132 cm, 2016_ed.1of3
➤ Chao-Liang SHEN, "Drifting", Chiayi, Inkjet C Print, Image 125 x 150 cm, Frame 129 x 159cm, 2020_ed.1of3
SHEN’s unique perspective and symbolic use of landscape imagery invite the viewer to feel the multifaceted historical and cultural imprints that have shaped Taiwan’s society, highlighting the intimate relationship between the land and its people’s development. The landscapes in his work function not only as authentic representations of Taiwan’s geography landscape but also as nuanced depictions of how historical memory influences the formation of Taiwanese identity and cultural heritage. Within the context of historical development, the landscapes referenced are either directly or indirectly linked to specific historical events, or they serve as symbols, metaphors, or allusions, thus facilitating a layered meaning through visual composition. This visual narrative prompts the viewer to engage with the complex fate of Taiwan as reflected in multiple historical contexts. Through SHEN Chao-Liang’s photographic language, "Drifting" brings Taiwan’s geographical and cultural landscapes into a global discourse, while also addressing the implications of globalization and contemporary political and historical controversies. The exhibition serves as a platform to reflect on Taiwan’s unique position within the realm of contemporary art, shedding light on its profound significance within a broader global context. It invites the audience to participate in a dialogue, pondering how Taiwan might navigate the turbulent currents of history, politics, and culture in its quest to define and affirm its identity and future trajectory.
➤ Chao-Liang SHEN, "Drifting", New Taipei City, Inkjet C Print, Image 100 x 125 cm, Frame 107 x 132 cm, 2023_ed.3
