Atmosphère
14 - 23 November 2024
Atomsphère
Atmosphères is a series of paintings that capture imaginary landscapes derived from Chang’s memories during her residence in Paris (2024). Be the subject matter abstract or representational, Chang’s works have always sought to awaken an atmospheric reality, one that visually tethers between concreteness and obscurity. This series particularly focuses on contradicting forces in nature found in the movement and formation of skies, foliage, and water.
Beyond nature, Chang draws a parallel with music by Romantic composers, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Frédéric Chopin. Her paintings resonate with the rich dissonance and complexities of Rachmaninoff’s music as well as the haunting lyricism of Chopin’s Nocturnes. In painting and music, the most beautiful moments of tranquility often arise from tension. Dilating and contracting between luminescence and shadow; movement and stillness; serenity and chaos, Chang’s paintings invite one to enter into an unseen realm.
Though hidden from sight, this realm lives eternally in the spirit and mind of the beholder.
Artist in residence
American-Taiwanese painter Aesther Chang (b. 1994) is known for her meditative, atmospheric compositions that transcend fixed time and space. The solemnity and honesty of nature give way to subdued colors and evocative gestural marks in earthly shades. Made with layers of
diluted natural pigments and oil paint, each mark is an echo of intuition. What she seeks through the process of making is harmony, or in her own words “oneness between self and matter”. Due to the attributes of materials, paint swiftly forms into distinctive organic shapes on the canvas. Each brush stroke is unique and spontaneous. The expression of impermanent beauty, while exploring the properties of natural elements, remains at the heart of her practice.
Atmosphère
“...always sought to awaken an atmospheric reality,
one that visually tethers between concreteness and obscurity”
－Aesther Chang
Aesther Chang
Originally from Boston, Chang holds a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University, and a B.F.A in Painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She spends her time between New York City, Paris, and Kyoto, exhibiting with international galleries including Hollis Taggart, NY (2024); Yadoya Hibi, Kyoto, JP (2024); Une Fille Aux Cheveux Noirs, Paris (2023); Jean Jacobs Gallery (2022), New Canaan, CT; Kate Oh Gallery, NY (2021); Numeroventi Artist Residency, Florence, IT (2018-2021); The New York Academy of Art (2016-2017); and Galerie Pavé d’Orsay, Paris (2016). Works by the artist reside in numerous private and public collections worldwide, including New York; Los Angeles; Paris; London; Tokyo; Singapore; Italy; China; and Taiwan.
