reviewvancouver: Building Vistas - John Jane & Christian Steckler

Vista IX - part of Chun Ping Claire Huang's new show. Photo: John Jane

An intriguing exhibition is currently on display at the Silk Purse Arts Centre. It features an exhibition of paintings by Chun Ping (Claire) Huang, illustrating a change of direction in her depictions of urban landscapes. Architecture has always been the inspiration of Huang’s work. Her most recent paintings have moved beyond the representational into the realm of abstraction.

In her Vista Series paintings, Huang creates illusory “vistas” of architectural space by addition and subtraction, creation and destruction, to express a sense of place driven by her memory and subconscious.

This intriguing collection of ten pieces consists mostly of exterior representations presented in mirage-like strokes in warm palettes, misty and rain-washed, evoking a sense of mystery, of memories and spirits hidden, teasing the viewer to find them. They present glimpses and partial images, juxtaposed and blended, creating ethereal places where dreams may unfold.

This exhibition introduces Claire Huang to a local audience after her works were chosen for exhibition to represent Canadian artists at the Shanghai World Exposition in 2010. It is definitely worth seeing.