Oil on canvas

110×110 cm. 43 1/4×43 1/4 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on the reverse

LITERATURE
2015, Animal Farm: The Painting of Su Wong-shen, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, p.249
EXHIBITED
24 Oct 2015 – 14 Feb 2016, Animal Farm: The Painting of Su Wong-shen, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei

PROVENANCE
Eslite Gallery, Taipei
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

A Nostalgic Dream Parade
The Fantastical Imagery of Su Wong-shen

Su Wong-shen was born in Chiayi in 1956 and graduated from the Fine Arts Department of the Chinese Culture University in 1979. His works reflect his keen and sensitive observations on urban memories, local culture, and political critique through a surreal yet humorous lens. Since his first solo exhibition at the American Cultural Center in Taipei in 1985, he has garnered widespread attention. His works have been collected by institutions such as the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and the Long Museum in Shanghai.

In 1988, Su transitioned from early abstract expressionism to a semi-figurative narrative style. He often centres his compositions around familiar landscapes and animals, creating whimsical scenes that invite viewers to wander through his dreamlike worlds. His piece Remanet, for instance, possesses a magical quality that draws the viewer into his fantastical realm, allowing them to immerse themselves unconsciously in the tranquillity of the scene.

Tracing the Footprints of Time with a Masterful Brush

The work Remanet is set against a deep blue background, evoking the sensation of stepping into a velvet-like dreamscape. At the centre of the composition, a massive red chimney hovers in mid-air, creating a striking contrast between warm and cool tones, lending the piece an enchanting, surreal quality. A tiny figure clutches a red balloon, drifting freely in the sky, while a small dog roams below, gazing curiously at this visitor from another world. The small trees, the tightly shut doors, and the snow-covered ground beneath the chimney emit a dreamy, shimmering white glow, resembling flickering fragments of distant memories. The work is imbued with elements of symbolism and surrealism, where time seems frozen, and the dramatic tension between the characters captivates the viewer.

The painting evokes the image of a famous Taiwan landmark—the former Imperial Japanese Navy No. 6 Fuel Factory in Hsinchu, known for its towering chimney that reaches into the sky. Over time, the site has accumulated traces of different eras, radiating layers of meaning for the local people, animals, and history. Through his pure and delicate brushstrokes, Su Wong-shen meticulously pieces together fragments of urban memory, revealing his deep affection for his homeland while inspiring boundless new imaginations.

Price estimate:
HKD 100,000 – 150,000
USD 12,800 – 19,200