Of Myths and Men | Han Fang Solo Exhibition

Myths are often used as a way to make meaning in a world full of unknowns. In ancient times, humans weaved fantastical stories out of phenomena that they are unable to explain in order to make the heavenly intangibles tangible. It also lends itself to a pedagogical function, allowing us to understand and connect with the lived experiences of those who came before us. Myths are a constant amongst humans, in all societies across time. Divinely inspired myths speak to a humanistic need and desire for storytelling and making meanings. Each generation of storytellers adds another layer of fact and fiction to the timeless classic myths, so they are perpetually reinvented and reapplied to the lives of each new generation.

 Han Fang’s highly textured oil paintings reference the culture and imagery of the Chu kingdom of China. Set in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period of China, Chu was an important player in a culturally rich epoch that influenced the course of Chinese history. He re-creates scenes from Chinese mythologies, fables, and historical anecdotes, while at the same time injecting humour and pathos. He bridges time and space to bring new life to an esoteric past that is often only glimpsed through the looking glass of a serious historian. Each painting is like a fragment of collective memory, hinting at tantalizing tales, reminding us that people in the past loved, laughed, worried and contemplated, just like we do.