A World in balance: natural visions and geometries by Jung-Chih Chang (FOCUS ON THE WORK)

A World in balance: natural visions and geometries by Jung-Chih Chang (FOCUS ON THE WORK)

In the vast landscape of contemporary art, few artists manage to capture the essence of the relationship between humans and nature like Jung-Chih Chang. Born and raised in an environment permeated by the wild beauty of Taiwan, Chang uses her art to explore the deep and often complex connections between the natural world and human experience. Through her works, especially those from the series that explores animals and natural environments presented in a vibrant intertwining of colors and details, the artist invites us to reflect on our role as guardians of an increasingly fragile world.

Taiwan: a crossroad of nature and culture

Taiwan, with its verdant mountains, lush forests, and rich biodiversity, is a land that has inspired artists, poets, and thinkers for centuries. The island’s geographical location, positioned between mainland China and the Pacific, has allowed Taiwan to develop a unique culture, where indigenous tradition blends with Chinese, Japanese, and Western influences. This cultural mosaic is also reflected in the art of Jung-Chih Chang, who draws from both the collective memory of her people and her personal experience.

Chang’s works seem imbued with this heritage: the taro leaves and tropical flowers, present in many of her paintings, evoke the lush landscapes of Taiwan, while the animals depicted become universal symbols of connection and interdependence. Her choice to use vivid colors and layered compositions suggests not only a celebration of nature, but also a warning: the beauty that surrounds us is fragile and requires our attention.

Here, the presentation article on Jung-Chih Chang: The Kaleidoscope of Life

A series of works that celebrates life in all its forms: focus on the art of Jung-Chih Chang

Here we explore some of Chang’s paradigmatic works. The artist explores a range of subjects from tropical animals to communities of aquatic birds and amphibious creatures. Each painting pulses with life, thanks to the masterful use of color and attention to detail. The choice to include translucent circles and other geometric forms in the compositions, overlapping the main subjects, creates a kaleidoscopic effect, like a lens through which to view nature in a new and poetic way.

The heart of the world is one of the most evocative works, in which a large iguana moves among lotus leaves and other tropical plants. The details of its skin, rendered with almost scientific precision, blend perfectly with the vibrant background, evoking a wild, strong, living, untamed nature. It is a harmony of color that lights up the eyes, forcing the viewer to slightly part their lips in an attempt to endure the power of nature expressed through the canvas. The iguana, with its prehistoric appearance and majestically alien calm, also becomes a symbol of time: a reminder of the need to slow down and observe the natural world with more respect and awareness.

Ginger Duck is another piece from the series depicting a group of musk ducks, each unique in its appearance and character. The painting is a hymn to biodiversity and the beauty of social interactions in the animal kingdom. Here, the use of overlapping circles seems to suggest the interconnection between creatures and their environment, reminding us that every individual is part of a larger ecosystem. Beyond the painting’s meaning, Chang’s Ginger Duck is likely one of the most emblematic works of her technical ability. The beauty lies in the harmony and elegance of the shapes, united by a masterful use of color (an element for which Jung-Chih Chang is known worldwide).

In another equally captivating work, an anthropomorphized frog, adorned with flowers and immersed in a lush environment, devours insects. While Jung’s work is strongly dreamlike in its colors and geometries, here this component explodes in all its power. It is a theme that we will also find in the last of the four paintings analyzed in this focus on Jung-Chih Chang. This piece combines fantastical elements with subtle realism that recalls the beauty, fragility, and cruelty of nature. It is the food chain perpetuated, and though cruel, it is absolutely perfect, in balance. Jung-Chih creates an atmosphere that invites the viewer to reflect on the mechanisms of nature’s preservation, and to appreciate it, admire it, and respect it as it is. Also noteworthy is the choice of a frog as the protagonist, which is not at the top of the food chain. Jung-Chih gives us an interlude, a “normal” moment of naturalness. Combined with the dreamlike characteristics of the painting, it becomes a true visual and conceptual feat: God hides in the details and the small things we no longer see.

With Butterfly Dance, Jung-Chih Chang temporarily steps away from her focus on tropical animals and wild nature scenes to approach a more intimate and poetic language, involving the human figure. At the center of the painting is a young woman suspended in a whirlpool of butterflies. The composition, like in Jung’s other works, is dominated by translucent circles that overlay visual layers, transforming the image into an emotional and visual kaleidoscope. The piece seems to oscillate between dream and reality, conveying a sense of lightness and perpetual movement.

The girl, dressed in a polka-dotted dress that mirrors the blues and purples of the background, seems almost one with the whirlpool of butterflies swirling around her. The movement of her arms, stretched towards an invisible center, suggests a search: an attempt to capture something ephemeral and fleeting. The butterflies, a universal symbol of transformation and transient beauty, perfectly embody this tension between the desire to possess the moment and the impossibility of doing so.

The color palette, dominated by cool shades of blue, purple, and aqua green, gives the painting its dreamlike atmosphere. But it is in the details that the artist once again demonstrates her mastery: each butterfly is painted with almost scientific care, its delicate wings catching the light with reflections that seem to animate them.

In this particular piece, Jung-Chih Chang goes beyond a simple celebration of nature by including a human subject. This choice amplifies the recurring theme of the series: the intrinsic bond between humans and their natural environment. The girl is not presented as separate from the natural realm, but as an integral part of it. The butterflies seem unafraid of her, dancing around her naturally, almost welcoming her into their ethereal realm.

The positioning of the butterflies and geometric forms creates a sense of interconnectedness, as if each element – human and natural – were trapped in an invisible web of relationships. This theme deeply resonates with Jung’s interest in ecology and conservation: the painting becomes an invitation to rediscover our role in the natural system, not as dominators but as conscious participants.

Jung-Chih Chang’s Art as a reflection on the ecological crisis

In an era marked by the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity, Jung-Chih Chang’s works take on even greater significance. Through her work, the artist does not just represent nature; she celebrates it and, at the same time, denounces its vulnerability. Every brushstroke is an invitation to reflect on the consequences of human actions and the importance of restoring balance with the environment.

Chang herself has stated in interviews that her goal is to create a dialogue between art and nature, a dialogue that inspires change. “Every animal, every plant I paint carries a story with it,” says the artist. “Through color and form, I want to convey not only beauty, but also awareness and responsibility.”

The link between tradition and innovation

Though deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture, Chang’s art embraces global influences. Her education, which includes formal studies and extensive self-research, has allowed her to develop a unique style where tradition meets innovation. This is particularly evident in the techniques she uses: acrylic painting allows her to work quickly and precisely, while the use of layered textures and saturated colors creates a depth that captivates the viewer.

Her works are imbued with symbolism. The animals, often the protagonists of her canvases, represent human emotions and universal archetypes. The plants and flowers, on the other hand, symbolize growth, resilience, and fragility. This fusion of traditional and modern elements makes Chang’s art both accessible and deeply meaningful.

Jung-Chih Chang: a message of hope and a warning for the future

Jung-Chih Chang’s works are much more than aesthetic representations of nature: they are windows into a world where humans and nature can coexist in harmony. Through her work, the artist invites us to rediscover the beauty and complexity of our planet, reminding us that every creature, every plant, every natural element is part of a delicate balance that we must protect.

In a world increasingly dominated by technology and urbanization, Chang’s art reminds us of our most authentic essence: that of human beings deeply connected to the earth. Her message, filled with love, respect, and hope, inspires us to imagine a future in which the relationship between humans and nature is not one of exploitation, but of mutual enrichment. And in every brushstroke, we find a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us and the responsibility we have to preserve it for future generations.

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