WU TUNG-LUNG

“If an artist’s creativity is steady and calm, I do not need to burst into flames.” Wu Tung-Lung’s practice, as stated in a past interview, has always been a rational and patient one. He begins by selecting a raw canvas, and priming it thoroughly with gelatin on a wood frame. Gesso is repeatedly applied on the primed surface until forming a solid foundation while cultivating a handmade texture. The second phase involves formulating the background with oil colors, followed by covering the entire work using tape. Lines or symbols are then carved out for further color treatment. Finally the work unveils in its entirety when the tape is peeled off. 

The first half of Wu Tung-Lung’s process entails traditional and meticulous craftsmanship, and the second half is to render subdued oil colors and simple forms into quiet, abstract imagery. As such, Wu’s unique artistry, colors and forms offer a starting point for our reading. Texture is imperative, “so that the viewer can perceive nuances in the paintings in dim or brightly-lit places, up close or from a distance.” Known for his minimalist style, Wu employs a binary approach to allow dual color tones to provide context for moods and clues, which not only reveal his personal sentiment or thoughts at the time but also instinctively awaken the viewers’ sensory response. For instances, metallic gray may infer the indifferent landscape of an industrial city; ocher can suggest masculinity and vigor; or deep green brings to mind the moisture and smell of a mossy forest. The symmetric, voluminous forms, on the other hand, be it color lines or a standalone symbol, provide anchor and balance to our whims.