在探究中國藝術精神的主軸時，論者往往透過「外師造化，中得心源」、「平淡天真」等美學標準，或藉由儒道哲理的角度切入剖析。然而，從三星堆遺址的神祕瑰寶，到《楚辭》、《山海經》的奇幻敘事，這些根植於遠古的浪漫主義與超現實風格，洋溢著神話光輝中的玄物、奇世及異誌之記載，不僅是一段段先民的記憶，更是人類集體潛意識中對於未知環境所遺留下的璀璨詩篇。
張媛媛，水映青富士游鯉圖，亞麻布、蠟、膠彩、金箔，50x60.5cm，2024。圖/曙畫廊提供
張媛媛，TOTO曼陀羅，亞麻布、蠟、膠彩、金箔，116.7x91cm，2024。圖/曙畫廊提供
出身湖北、留學東京的藝術家張媛媛，便屬此類轉化心靈表徵於視覺語彙的當代繼承者。甫於日本攻讀學位即遭逢三一一強震的張媛媛，對自身所際遇的生命、機緣皆有更敏銳的強烈感受，轉化為畫布上的靈動表達。她將內在的思緒幻化成霽光浮生，透過璿霄瑤池的意象與擬人的敘事主體，擊叩出充滿歡愉和趣味性的視覺交響。筆下的奇異世界表面看來脱逸於現實，實則深植於她所熟悉的湖北故鄉「千湖之省」藴育的景觀環境與日本的歷史傳統，交織成一幅幅動人心弦的作品。
張媛媛，水映赤富士垂櫻游鯉圖，亞麻布、蠟、膠彩、金箔，72.7x72.7cm，2024。圖/曙畫廊提供
張媛媛曾自言作品中的鯉魚和貓，象徵著此界和彼岸兩個世界卻又得以互相銜接的對話元素。作品〈水映金閣寺游鯉圖〉、〈富士昇龍圖〉、〈橫濱夜景系列〉的實體名勝，至〈貓源郷〉、〈蓬萊山游鯉圖〉的幻境聖景，不僅可見她將現實與幻境融合的純熟技藝，更能感受到其拓延心象於寰宇的精巧造詣。此中層層空間、種種生命的推衍遞嬗，有如開卷嶄新的輿圖記事般予以觀者開啟無限的想像空間。
張媛媛，水映金閣寺垂櫻游鯉圖，亞麻布、蠟、膠彩、金箔，30x30cm，2024。圖/曙畫廊提供
在她的畫作中，粉白與碧金的色彩相互輝映，濃烈卻不失雅致、層次飽滿，結合日本的侘寂美學與中國的吉祥象徵，是探索東方意趣的實踐之作。這不僅追源溯流宋代水墨，也融合了多種創新材料與技法：媒材上，透過蜂蠟、岩彩、金箔以及亞麻布等主要材質，鑄造出非凡的視覺效果；技巧上，源於古羅馬和古埃及時期的「蠟畫法」呈現異域新風；圖像上，加之日本藝術的空寂意蘊、中國的祥瑞意象以及密教曼陀羅的神祕氛圍。張媛媛作品所承載的多重文化與廣泛形式尤具獨特性，標識著當代語境中的變革與創新，引領觀眾在傳統與創新之間探索未曾到達的藝術邊疆。
玄物、奇世及異誌mdash張媛媛台灣首個展
展期｜2024.10.19 - 11.30
開幕茶會｜2024.10.19（六）15:00
地點｜曙畫廊 (台北市士林區士東路222號1樓)
Tel｜+886-2-28310558
Traversing Mythic Landscapes: Zhang YuanYuanrsquos Radiant Worlds
In exploring the essence of Chinese art, scholars often refer to aesthetic ideals like quotextrinsic learned form nature, intrinsic founded on cultivationquot or approach it through Confucian and Daoist philosophies. However, from the mysterious relics of the Sanxingdui site to the fantastical narratives of The Songs of Chu and The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a romantic and surrealist style, rooted in ancient mythology, emerges. These myth-laden worlds are not just remnants of ancient memory, but reflections of humanityrsquos collective unconscious in response to the unknown.
Artist Zhang Yuanyuan, from Hubei and educated in Tokyo, channels her inner reflections into vibrant visual language. Inspired by the 311 earthquake, she expresses heightened sensitivity to life through radiant, ethereal scenes. Using celestial imagery and anthropomorphic narratives, her joyful, playful works may appear fantastical but are deeply rooted in the landscapes of Hubei and Japanrsquos cultural traditions, creating profoundly moving art.
Zhang has said that the koi and cats in her paintings symbolize the dialogue between two worldsmdashthis one and the beyond. From real-world landmarks like lsquoSwimming Koi at Golden Pavilionrsquo and lsquoRising Dragon at Mt. Fujirsquo to lsquoimagined scenes like Koi in Penglai Mountainrsquo and lsquoCat landrsquo, her skillful blending of reality and fantasy showcases her artistic mastery. The layers of space and evolving life forms in her paintings open endless possibilities for the viewerrsquos imagination, like a new atlas unfolding.
Her work blends white and gold hues to create layered compositions that fuse Japanese wabi-sabi with auspicious Chinese symbols. Drawing from Song Dynasty ink traditions, she incorporates beeswax, mineral pigments, gold leaf, and linen, while using ancient encaustic methods from Rome and Egypt for a global touch. Her imagery combines Japanese quietude, Chinese symbolism, and Buddhist mysticism, representing a cultural fusion that explores the intersection of tradition and modernity.
Esoteric, Enchanting, and ExtraordinarymdashZhang YuanYuan#39s Solo Exhibition
Period｜2024.10.19-11.30
Opening reception｜2024.10.19(Sat.) 15:00
Venue｜1F., No. 222, Shidong Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei