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Kenneth Tan
UNITED STATES
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“I promote repetition and calm by constantly "listening" to the marking that I make and respond intuitively.”
As a Malaysian-born Chinese American who now lives in Texas, my studio practice is often rooted in exploring culture and identity issues. I am an overly self-conscious individual who constantly questions my sense of "self" and how that relates to those around me. It is a complex issue of presentation, where I am forced to choose between either the norm or “otherness" in any aspect of life.
S2021 A | Ink
This is a snapshot of all views of the Module work; each piece is 9.4” x 12.6”, # of Module: 35—the concept behind draw upon the visual language to establish with the audience. The work was a meditation process. When it started, each piece is a 1 to 1 relation, but at all, it is the complete symphony orchestra.
By saying so, my work often reflects my practice responding to this presentation. I express intense gratitude to address the dichotomy between order and chaos, tradition versus innovation, craft versus art, push and pull. It is the duality of my process that parallels the energy of the universe.
S2021 A #1 | Ink
This is a single snapshot of 1 of the S2021 A. In a single piece, it is a personal 1 to 1 meditation relationship at a static stage.
The outcome of most of my work is not as important in comparison to the "process of creating."
Most of the work is meant to open a dialogue with the audience. This conversation is as silent as discreet, but there is a rebellious message within the silence.
S2021 B | Installation
All view picture - The work is calling upon the audience to feel when they are "in" the drawing. It is a symbolic organic response to human nature, as we were born, in the path of growing up, and die as all are back to nature organic stage. Along the path, we are going through the ripple effect. Almost everyone in the world is experiencing multiple ripple effects, including pandemic, storm, flood, hate crime, and many negative impacts.
My process of making begins with the meditation process. I would spend hours and hours making layers and layers of random marks on cardboard, a recycling box, or any found object. This process allows me to calm down and focus.
Side view of S2021B
S2021 B | Installation
I express intense gratitude to address the dichotomy between order and chaos, tradition versus innovation, craft versus art, push and pull. It is the duality of my process that parallels the energy of the universe.
I wanted to create the visual and physical response to human’s sensory system. As I can view, feel, and touch, indirectly that would encourage the feeling and sensation.
0 & 1 S2020 1.0 | Mixed Media
$350
Response of the deconstructive and constructive of the current social issue of gender - the perspective of binary and non-binary
I firmly believe each creation is a relationship built upon with an emptiness to complete fullness. The piece has its own voice, and it is an organic static symbolic when it began. When it is complete, it is a whole complex dynamic symphony. Along the process, I promote repetition and calm by constantly "listening" to the marking that I make and respond intuitively.
0 & 1 S2020 3.0 | Mixed Media
$350
Response of the deconstructive and constructive of the current social issue of gender - the perspective of binary and non-binary
Overall, the outcome of most of my work is not as important in comparison to the "process of creating." Each stroke of ink or paint is not merely a mark; it contains layers of collective information and exploration of my identity.
Response of the organic symbolism within the natural science vocabulary system.
Cadera II | Mixed Media
$990
My most recent series, S2021 A & B, is concerned with transforming synthetic materials into an ethereal, aesthetic experience using mixed media- installation. The materials used in the installation are school-grade glue, water, chicken wire, yarn, red sand, and ink. Furthermore, it opens a dialogue between aspects of drawing, sculpture, and installation. The work investigates the duality of my artistic practice in terms of concept, material, and process.
I am an overly self-conscious individual who constantly questions my sense of "self" and how that relates to those around me.
In the meantime, I see the installation of S2021 B as a drawing instead. I wanted to create the visual and physical response to human’s sensory system. As I can view, feel, and touch, indirectly that would encourage the feeling and sensation.
Hombro | Oil
$300
Response of the organic symbolism within the natural science vocabulary system.
All of the gestures of applying ink to the surface, ink soaking through the paper, happened in less than microsecond. Thus, it suggests a dynamic and will never able to be captured. I would hold those moments with the representation of the thread dripping through the paper. The 'ink' seeped through the paper and eventually dissolved into their original cell as a static molecule pigment.
Heaven, Hell, and the rest of us
PG0.01 | Mixed Media
As walking through the “drawing", making my ritual of reflection, I experience the ripple effect as I was feeling the relationship. The up and down of the paper reflect our year-long response to the pandemic. I was having the hardship of being isolated. I was having the rejected "self" moment. I am in doubt of how well or ready to order and to be chaos.
PG4.0 | Mixed Media
$200
Heaven, Hell, and the rest of us
“Most of my work is meant to open a dialogue with the audience.”
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