Sangna Take “Don’t BUG me”

Remaining true to the initial purpose of creation – revisiting Another Sky

Back in his work exchange days in Taitung, Sangna Take immersed himself in observing a plethora of plants, birds, and expansive seaside vistas, which became inspirations for his artistic endeavors. During this formative period of creative exploration, he seldom portrayed human figures; instead, he gravitated towards depicting “peculiar creatures”, like rendering birds in minimalist compositions. He experimented with different themes and styles—a journey of self-discovery in artistry, helping him find his unique artistic style and creative path.

Reviving childhood dreams

Sangna Take has showcased List of Pokemon (Note 1) at an earlier exhibition. However, he acknowledged that the prior display did not fully capture what he wanted. Consequently, he resolved to use this solo exhibition as an opportunity to improve and refine it. This piece covers all 151 first-generation Pokémon characters. Sangna Take reimagines these characters, infused with his distinct artistic flair. He reminisced about his passion for drawing since childhood, how he became enamored with Pokémon when it came out and aspired to one day create Pokémon illustrations in his own style.

Note 1: Pokémon, short for Pocket Monsters, is a game released by a Japanese game company in 1996.

My fondness for Pokémon stems from several reasons. First, I find the stories captivating, and the fact that each Pokémon can evolve and their visual appeal also draws me in. Above all, they evoke cherished memories of my childhood: accompanying classmates and friends to night markets or stores to purchase figurines and playing together. It feels as though Pokémon have been my constant companion throughout all these years. I love them because they’re associated with so many wonderful memories!

I deeply yearn for love. While painting, I channel my emotions into my work, often portraying them in an exaggerated manner. Gradually, I've grown quite fond of painting love and lust in my artwork. Painting is about depicting things you like, which makes the process more relaxing and allows for better artwork. For me, the subjects I paint can be trendy, or they can reflect what's on my mind. I paint anything from life, be it love or friendship.

Ceramic art as a canvas for life's diverse narratives

Sangna Take's ceramic figurine series was born from an exchange with a fellow artist friend. He remembered visiting a potter friend who presented him with a small ceramic piece with a smoke-billowing mouth. It not only captured his interest but also sparked a creative inspiration. Since then, Sangna Take has been contemplating ways to broaden this concept into a wider array of creative explorations. He decided to experiment and develop a series of ceramic figurines. His first figurine depicted an angry boy with smoke emanating from his head like he's fuming, literally. He continues with this concept, experimenting with artistic techniques while investigating the variations in glazing and the production processes. Throughout this ongoing experimentation, he incorporates various life scenarios and personality characteristics into his creations.

The distinctive trait of these seated figurines is the paint on their bodies. I make them wear denim, but with random colors across their bodies, giving the impression that they belong to a group of painters or artists.

Life is short. Why not enjoy it?

Sangna Take tries to find relaxing and carefree moments in everyday life, particularly under life's pressures. He feels that life is short, so he longs to take it easy. When he first started art sharing on his socials, his intention was to create a relaxed space for viewers, offering a respite from their hectic work-life. The Enjoy Life series consists of 48 pieces, crafted through a blend of screen printing and freehand drawing. He repetitively overlays the drawings to produce a series of whimsically and amusingly imaginative scenes.

Sangna Take possesses a unique talent for capturing the essence of seemingly mundane emotions through expressions in the eyes, fashion elements, and short phrases, effectively communicating the inner thoughts and feelings of people today. His art also serves as a representation of the younger generation's candid form of self-expression.

Sangna Take “Don’t BUG me”

‧Date: April 6 – April 27, 2024

‧Address: ESLITE GALLERY∣B1, No. 88, Yanchang Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110055, Taiwan (eslite spectrum Songyan Store)

‧Opening Hours: 11am-7pm, Tuesday – Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday)