LOT 19
ERIC CHAN
B. Kuala Lumpur, 1975
Cloud Series, 2002
Signed and dated “Eric Chan 2002” on the reverse
Oil on canvas
80 x 80 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 8,000 – RM 12,000
The illusion is a painting that has a vintage quality to it, something that has faded away due to time. It is doubtlessly part ofthe charm, the bleeding of colours, the mistiness and blurriness that is this vision. Eric Chan combines a diverse repertoire of imagery from historical archives, classical literature and art history, as well as botanical illustration and printed text.
His paintings explore notions of beauty, history and time, such as this piece that has an antiquated tint to it. Techniques of photography also influence Eric’s works, especially with the atmosphere that is suggestive of a negative effect, making his subjects and figures seem ghostly and dramatic. The tension combined with the drama and beauty of the past makes this an epically romantic piece.
Born in Malaysia and currently residing in Singapore, Eric Chan was the first artist to ever inaugurate the BMW Young Asian Artists series with the Singapore Tyler Print Institute in 2007. His works are collected by the Singapore Art Museum, CapitaLand Collection, UOB Art Collection, UBS Art Collection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore.