Gordon Cheung is an internationally acclaimed multi-media artist who was born in
1975 in London to Chinese parents. His work is found in major museums including
The British Museum in London, The Museum of Modern Art in New York and The
Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, to name a few. Cheung’s artistic research is
focused on exploring themes related to history, politics, culture, mythology and
religion. By employing an avant-garde approach to painting, he creates
mesmerising spaces where the virtual and the actual worlds are no longer clearly
discernible. His dreamlike visions are charged with symbolic elements and are
generated through digital manipulations, appropriated images and animations.
Continuously striving to open up new dimensions for reflection, his work ponders
over both past and current affairs in our capitalistic society, presenting an
innovative artistic language which has gained him global reputation. Cheung
obtained a Masters of Fine Arts from the Royal College of Art in London in 2001
and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Central Saint Martins College of Art
and Design in London in 1998.
Gordon Cheung has been recognized for his mixed-media paintings that combine traditional and digital techniques. He often incorporates materials such as acrylic paint, ink, collage elements, digital printing, and sometimes even sculptural elements in his works. Cheung's choice of materials serves multiple purposes in his artistic practice:
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Visual and conceptual impact: Cheung's use of different materials helps create visually engaging and complex artworks. The combination of various mediums, textures, and surfaces adds depth, layering, and richness to his paintings. These diverse materials can evoke different emotions and symbolic meanings, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience.
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Symbolism and subject matter: Cheung's choice of materials often relates to the themes and subjects explored in his artwork. His paintings often address socio-political and economic issues, exploring the philosophical and spiritual complexities of the human condition via contemporary culture, global finance and the rise and fall of civilisations. By incorporating materials like collaged newspaper clippings, currency, or other found objects, he references these themes and their associated symbols, creating visual narratives that resonate with the subject matter
- Technological and cultural commentary: Cheung's integration of digital techniques reflects the influence of technology and its impact on society. His combination of traditional painting methods with digital printing or manipulation can be seen as a commentary on the digital age, globalization, and the fusion of the virtual and physical realms.
- Experimentation and personal expression: Like many contemporary artists, Gordon Cheung is driven by experimentation and pushing the boundaries of his chosen medium. His exploration of diverse materials allows him to experiment with different textures, surfaces, and techniques, enabling him to express his artistic vision in unique and innovative ways that question what the identity of painting can be that is also rooted in his own identity as in-between British and Chinese.
