Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore Acquired from the above by the present owner
Catalogue Essay
The prolific Singaporean contemporary oil painter and sculptor David Chan is celebrated for his signature realist depictions of animal-human hybrid forms, which serves as a metaphor for human behavior in our contemporary society. The artist’s view on society is one that mirrors wild animals in nature, he once asks: 'If society was really a jungle and all animals were roaming around trying to make a living, what would you be?' (David Chan quoted in Miral Fahmy, ‘In our urban jungle, what animal are you, artist asks’, Reuters, 2 October 2009, online).
Balance showcases Chan’s mastery of classical fine painting techniques matched with a thoughtful juxtaposition of warm and cold tones, it also highlights his uncanny talent for conveying depth with layers and textures. Comical and bewildering at first glance, the work forcefully engages the observer with a sense of irony and humour, and urges the observer to ruminate on ethical dilemmas and human behavior in a time of crisis.
Highly regarded for his witty and masterful technique, Chan has been honoured with numerous exhibitions around the world, most recently at Art Seasons, Singapore (2018). His works were selected for the 54th Venice Biennale at Fondazione Claudio Buziol (2011) and traveled to exhibit at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam (2012).