In the spirit of collaboration, SILVERLENS annually invites like-minded galleries around the region for a curatorial program exchange. This March, in the group exhibition Chaos, SILVERLENS hosts Mind Set Art Center (Taipei) in Manila with three of their artists Liu Chih-Hung (b. 1985, Taiwan), Jhong Jiang-Ze (b. 1981, Taipei), Tang Jo-Hung (b. 1975, Taipei). These three international artists, through contemplation in different viewpoints, explore the human nature and emotions—how connections are made and are possibly destroyed by alienation and chaos. They will be joined by SILVERLENS artist Pow Martinez (b. 1983, Philippines). The series of new works exhibit a colorful chaos, creating a dialogue responding to the current events in one’s nation and the turmoil of one’s mind.

Chaos is the beginning, as well as the end. According to Greek mythology, Chaos was the first thing to exist, and then came the world and beings. As 2018 commences, the world is overflowed with information, national boundaries are blurred, and remains of history blend with the imaginations of future. Nowadays, art works are produced massively with abundant symbols and codes, which are appropriated readily and discarded arbitrarily. At the age which seems to be free, people are still manipulated by the invisible strings of various regulations, customs and systems, staging one drama after another involuntarily. The artists present in this exhibition, Chih-hung LIU, Pow MARTINEZ, JHONG Jiang-Ze, and TANG Jo-Hung, are from diverse backgrounds and have different artistic training. They have different artistic pursuits and each has his unique style and expression.  What they share in their works is the chaotic tension and dynamics, responding to the agitation of the world as well as the mind.

JHONG Jiang-Ze (b. 1981, Taipei) where he currently works and lives. He graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts with a BA in 2006, and received his MA from the same university in 2009. JHONG received the First Prize of 2008 Long Yen Foundation Art Scholarship, and was the winner of 2005 Outstanding Art Prize of Fine Arts (Taipei National University of the Arts). Apart from Taiwan, his work has been shown in the Philippines, Singapore, and Korea.  JHONG’s work is included in the collections of National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Art Bank (Taiwan), and Long Yen Foundation.

Chih-Hung LIU (b. 1985, Taiwan) graduated from M.F.A Program, Department of Fine Arts at Taipei National University of the Arts. He is a freelancer/artist who lives and works in Taipei currently. Chihhung Liu’s recent paintings embody his understanding of life and his personal experiences. His approach to narration and interpretation from a mundane perspective allows him to tightly interlock emotions and
images. Incorporating images, ready-made objects, investigation reports, and printed materials, his multimedia work attempts to address issues related to the use of ordinary materials, the notion of formal language, and the creation of local connections.

Pow Martinez (b. 1983, Manila) is a recipient of the Ateneo Art Awards for his 1 Billion Years exhibition at West Gallery, Philippines. He exhibits internationally and has worked with different media, including sound. His recent group exhibitions include New York and Berlin editions of Bastards of Misrepresentation, Salvation on a Nest of Vipers in Melbourne, Australia, and Complete and Unabridged in Osage Gallery, Hong Kong. Martinez has also held a number of solo shows in major galleries in Manila, the most recent of which is psychodelic behavior in West Gallery.

Martinez’ paintings belie their grotesque subject matter with the inbelibly beautiful surfaces and a wide-ranging, daring use of color. Mutants, monsters, demons, deviants, and freaks lurch, sit, and appear to transform amidst weirdly lit landscapes or disintegrating urban scenarios, or emerge from a painterly graffito mess, but, as his more abstracted works insist, Martinez' ability to render intriguing relationships between forms and surfaces ensure his works are endlessly compelling—an experience akin to a beautiful nightmare.

TANG Jo-Hung (b. 1975, Taipei) currently lives and works in Taipei. He graduated with BA from Department of Fine Arts, Tunghai University in 1998. In 2002, he received his MFA from University of Salamanca in Spain (Máster del Arte de la Universidad de Salamanca), and was granted the prestigious Premio San Marco premiere award in the same year. Apart from Taiwan, TANG also has solo exhibitions in China and United Kingdom, and participated in groups exhibitions in Italy and Japan. He received the first prize at the 22nd Kaohsiung Awards in 2005, Liao Chi-Chun Oil Painting Award in 2008, and was the First Prize winner of Taipei Arts Awards in 2016. TANG’s work is included in the collections of National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Council for Cultural Affairs of Taiwan, CMC Art Museum in Taiwan, Art Bank of Taiwan, and Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.