Parrots Unleashed

Exhibition Details:
Parrots Unleashed
– Tang Ke Solo Exhibition

10 Oct – 09 Nov 2024
Tue – Sat: 11am to 7pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
Closed on Monday

Artist:
Tang Ke

Curators:
Rick Shi
Anaya Stets

Assistant Curators:
Yan Li
Kenneth Liu
Fraya Zhang

Prestige Art Gallery
61 Stamford Rd
#01-06 Stamford Court
Singapore 178892
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Brochure:
Parrots Unleashed
– Tang Ke Solo Exhibition

Prestige Art Gallery Presents: PARROTS UNLEASHED – A Vivid Flight Through Tang Ke’s Vision

Unveiling a Dynamic Canvas of Possibilities

Tang Ke’s artistic creation has always centred on exploring the possibilities of materials and forms. After over a decade of practice on canvas and paper, his mastery of shaping visual language has reached a refined level. Starting in the latter half of 2005, Tang Ke began experimenting with transparent materials, attempting to redefine visual space within painting. In this current series featuring parrots, Tang adopts an expressive and free-flowing style, using acrylic paint on transparent film, with the reverse side attached to a silver aluminium plate. The vividly coloured parrots are surrounded by large areas of blank space, allowing the luxurious metallic sheen of the aluminium to shine through. Under different lighting conditions, the smooth surface of the artwork reflects its surroundings, creating an effect where the scene shifts as the viewer moves, making the image appear elusive and illusory.

The Parrot’s Legacy: Symbols of Power, Freedom, and Beauty

Parrots, one of nature’s most colourful and vibrant creatures, have long been favoured by famous figures, elites, and royals throughout history. Alexander the Great was known for his collection of parrots during his conquests, with these flamboyantly adorned birds becoming symbols of power and wealth. Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty kept numerous exotic birds in his palace, with parrots among the most prized, frequently appearing in the artworks he loved. Winston Churchill also kept parrots at his estate, admiring these clever and spirited creatures, seeing them as symbols of freedom and courage. Frida Kahlo incorporated parrots into her self-portraits, expressing her deep connection with nature and animals through her art. Tang Ke’s “transparent painting technique” seamlessly merges these historical and cultural symbols of parrots with the visual experience, fusing history, culture, and aesthetics into one.

An Invitation to Explore the Parrot’s World

Let us immerse ourselves in this visual and sensory feast, feeling the vitality flowing through the parrots that live between the realms of dreams and reality. May you find your own insights and inspiration within Tang Ke’s works as we collectively explore the captivating world of these parrots, filled with light, shadow, and colour.