Zhang Huans Witness Exhibition at the MCA
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In the 'Witness' exhibition held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the central
theme of the artworks relates to witnessing a significant event, giving evidence or
testimonial something of significant nature. Recognised throughout the six artists
artworks the concept of memory is considered through the various painting, drawing,
sculpture, photography and film. They all use individual techniques and approaches to
recall human's most lucid consciousness.
A common aspect of humanity and theme shown through the artworks is that they
question our own identity and family's past in relation what makes us who we are and
what role does witnessing play in shaping our lives and others around it. Family
relationships and identity form key passages to past events being experienced or
witnessed either directly or by secondary source, creating an intense personal subject
matter for creative expression. The past is considered important to many of the artists
so is the collection of memory and its collaboration with present and continuing its
legacy.
In Zhang Huan's work 'Family Tree' and 'Peace' he deals with all these issues
intensely through his art practice. Zhang's exploration of family obligation and
reconciliation signifies his cultural background of being Chinese and his own identity
in relation to the world around him. In his work 'Family Tree' it features nine
photographs of the artist's face in sequential order from a face with little calligraphy
marked with black ink to a gradual adding of more inscription til an entire blackened
face in the final photograph. The Chinese calligraphy marked on his face are ancient
proverbs, Buddhist scriptures, random thoughts, stream of family names, statements
in which the passage of life from birth to marriage and death are illuminated
according to tradition...