I always believed in being immersed in the world of art whether it's for being stylish or knowledgeable. Though unforgiving in terms of its exclusivity, art can be awfully enlightening and gives us time to appreciate 'visual poetry' in a world dominated by words. With fashion designers constantly taking reference from the art world, I always think it's better to stay ahead of time. Besides, who doesn't like a bit of air conditioning from the hot and humid summers in Hong Kong anyway?
This brings me to an exhibition I've been meaning to see for a long time at the Ben Brown Fine Arts gallery on Pedder Street. With his inaugural show in Hong Kong, the artist Simon Birch focused on the human figure with his well-known explosive brushwork and distinctive use of textured oil on canvas.
The people in the paintings aren't the hooligans however, as you may be thinking from the title, but is actually the invisible force suggesting the identity of the aggressor. It's this 'invisible force' that gives such dynamism to Birch's work, differentiating himself from other portrait artist's.
In some ways, the eruptive movement and somewhat distorted faces in the paintings remind me of Francis Bacon's infamous portraits. With both artists delivering a strong message through their work, it's great to see how aggression reflects a tension between the inner self and the outer world - especially in a adrenaline-fuelled city like Hong Kong.
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Hooligan: New Paintings by Simon Birch
11 April 2013 - 15 May 2013
Ben Brown Fine Arts
301 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street Central Hong Kong
+852 2522 9600 www.benbrownfinearts.com Monday-Saturday, 11AM - 7PM
301 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street Central Hong Kong
+852 2522 9600 www.benbrownfinearts.com Monday-Saturday, 11AM - 7PM
Amazing!
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