OBVERSE PAINTINGS

by Fred Chuang

ARTIST STATEMENT              

At the end of the last Century, in the midst of my fourth decade, I discovered a means of accessing my “purely” creative well.  Until that time, I had solely engaged my “interpretive,” design side, having had virtually no formal artistic training on my way to my MFA in Theatre Design, Scenery and Costumes.  

I discovered my painting technique in an exploration of the visual properties of art glass with the objective of engaging the flexibility and spontaneity of painting.  The bonus was that my new process, working on the back side of a thin, clear panel, forced me to relinquish a generous amount of “control.”  This twist allowed me to rely on my intuitive resources, injecting surprise into the process of creation.

This delight in the process, along with the continuing discovery of the possibilities of my technique, drives me down many different creative avenues.  Many of these subjects and styles have been barely explored—time is limited, but I am thoroughly enjoying the exploration. 

TECHNIQUE                          

My paintings are created using acrylic spray enamel on the obverse side of clear co-polyester panels--PETG.  They are “obverse” paintings, rather than “reverse” paintings, in that they are not the product of a backward, formulaic process, but rather the result of a creative “dialogue,” action answered by a strategic, intuitive reaction, generated to be viewed through the clear surface.  Working from behind is not the equivalent of working in reverse.

Using water, static, objects (found or created—to mask or print), and other masks and influences, I determine shapes and textures, building the paintings, color layer by color layer, overlaying textures and hues. I also use sgrafitto and solvents to clear and repaint areas or to manipulate the laying-on of colors in acrylic and other media, including collage. 

Each painting is unique—unrepeatable, by virtue of the technique. After completion, the paintings are annealed, giving the surface a “fingerprint,” a final mark of distinction.  Some paintings are coated with polyurethane to harden and protect the surface.

As with all pigmented fine art, these paintings should be sheltered from direct sunlight, impact, and excessive heat.

                                                                              

Commissions are welcome without obligation to purchase.

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Limited Edition, Fuji Crystal Archive, photo prints are available in standard and custom sizes.  Please visit my "Shop" for more information
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EDUCATION

 
1978 
 MFA    CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY, Pittsburgh, PA
                             Theatre Design:  Scenery and Costume

 
1975   BA       DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, Hanover, NH
                             Drama; Senior Fellowship—Playwriting
                             Magna Cum Laude


SELECTED EXHIBITIONS


July  2007


Duality, group show, One Leaf Gallery, Pomona, CA

Feb.  2007

GET:ART, group show/fundraiser, Bonhams & Butterfields, Los Angeles, CA

Nov.  2006

Figure It Out, group show, J Ferrari Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Sept. 2006

ArtCrawl 9, group show, The Echo, Los Angeles, CA

April 2005

Concentric, solo show, Fallbrook, CA

April 2005

Create:Fixate, group show, Los Angeles, CA

July  2004

Emergence, group show, Canoga Park, CA

July  2004

LA Mart Art, group show, Los Angeles, CA

July  2004

S.L.A.C. Summer Salon, group show, Los Angeles, CA

July  2004

Carnival, group show, revisited Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

May  2004

Montrose-Verdugo Juried Art Exhibition, Glendale, CA., Honorable Mention

April 2004

S.L.A.C. Group Show, Los Angeles, CA

Jan.  2004

Greater Midwest International XIX, Warrensburg, MO

Nov. 2003

Fred Chuang, solo show, Coffee Table Gallery:  Los Angeles, CA

Oct.  2003

Fred Chuang, solo show, Martini Gallery, West Hollywood, CA

Oct.  2003

Rosenthal International 2003-A Juried Competition, Fayetteville, NC

Aug. 2003

Northern National Art Competition, Rhinelander, WI







 
    

PUBLICATIONS


2006                     Taj Majal Review, Issue #10, Govindpur Colony,
Allahabad, India
2004                     Artwanted.com CREATIVE MINDS, Art Slam Press, Bountiful, UT
2003                     Tulane Review, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA