December 17, 2005 – March 19, 2006
Traditional Chinese paintings inspired Chinese American artist Arnold Chang to study the calligraphic techniques of the literati ink painters. He first became interested in painting at the age of 10, when he saw an exhibition of the great Chinese painter, Zhang Daqian. Chang then studied Chinese calligraphy, and went on to receive a master's degree in Chinese art history (contemporary painting) at UC Berkeley. Forsaking his academic career for that of an artist, he studied with the literati ink painter C. C. Wang in New York City. Like the 17th-century Chinese individualists, Chang creates landscapes that do not achieve a perfect equilibrium, but rather reflect the imperfections found in nature. His carefully modulated brushwork captures mood and dynamic tension, and provides insights into ancient Chinese calligraphy.