Location: Hong Kong
Hong
Kong artist Celine Chan is a master of paper-quilling art. She studied in
Canada and furthered her studies in design at the Chinese University of Hong
Kong. Inspired by the Russian paper-quilling master Yulia Brodskaya,
Celine never stopped practicing and devoted herself ardently to creating
paper-quilling art. Her artworks have a strong personality and gorgeous
integration of Oriental culture. She is one of the few Asian artists engaged in
making paper quilling. Her glamorous and trendy works consistently demonstrate
her passion for life and beauty. Many local and international celebrities
collect her works.
I strive to express my values and attitudes toward life sincerely in my work. I often incorporate traditional elements to convey my concepts, such as Greek mythological characters, Western Aboriginal totems, and Chinese Taoism, as well as figures from Chinese history. These elements transcend space and time. My aim is to infuse new meaning into my unique and innovative artistic language through these traditional references because I believe that both inheritance and innovation are vital to the progress of human civilization. A constant theme in my work is my pursuit of three-dimensionality. This quest has transcended mere visual representation and evolved into a spiritual exploration of truth. Achieving true three-dimensionality requires more than just visual depth; it entails creative, intellectual, and spiritual engagement. I must deeply and comprehensively understand the subject and its historical context. Only by genuinely grasping the subject can I empathize with its thoughts and feelings, ultimately allowing me to achieve the most accurate representation of three-dimensionality in my mind and recreate history with precision.
The second work is called Aphrodite. This goddess empowers people to love and be loved, and helps them feel comfortable with their bodies. She is responsible for all feelings of happiness. Suppose a person is under Aphrodite’s influence.
In that case, the person will be empowered with a sense of energy and creativity and will be capable of accepting imperfections in themselves and others. The characters in the painting have slightly drooping eyes and somewhat tilted corners of the mouth. Still, they convey enthusiasm, confidence, and a sparkle in their static state, which in a way elegantly and gently showcases the beauty of women.
In the mysterious and charming Greek mythology, there are seven important goddesses. These seven goddesses have their own characteristics. They represent the personalities of different women. This series of paper quilling artworks are inspired by the spiritual characteristics of three of the seven goddesses. In her own aesthetic sense, Celine vividly presents women's different beauty to the audience, creating a new visual impact.
The first work is called Artemis. In Greece, this goddess represents the spiritual independence of women. Her strength comes from the boundaries she sets for herself. The female eyes in the painting are firm and confident. With sharply contrasting colours, Celine demonstrates the spiritual appearance of women's independence and courage.
The third work is called Persephone. If people exhibit the characteristics of Persephone, they are likely to have experienced significant challenges in their lives. Such experiences force people to face their dark side and make them more resilient to difficulties.
Persephone represents the spirit of rebirth from suffering. The characters in the works evoke a sad yet steadfast feeling in people. The author hopes to convey a positive attitude towards life to the suffering women through the images in the painting.
“Shine together with the Sun and Moon”
“Shine Together with the Sun and Moon” is the latest paper quilling artwork created by Celine Chan. In this piece, Celine captures not only the majesty of the legendary Chinese empress Wu Zetian but also her attitude in the face of challenges. Wu Zetian was China’s only female emperor. In the patriarchal culture of ancient China, she embodied the enlightened social atmosphere and cultural prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
Technically, this artwork incorporates many traditional Chinese techniques, including the depiction of Sola flower on Wu Zetian's clothing and the intricate hairstyles worn by women of the ancient imperial family. Sola wood, a medicinal plant from a tree, are often referred to as the everlasting flower due to their enduring beauty. Celine aimed to make paper quilling more three-dimensional, striving to recreate authentic historical narratives, the true mentality of the character, and the distinctive symbols of the Tang Dynasty through various traditional techniques. She experimented with using paper to represent the effects of ancient hair buns and crowns.
In China, the red-crowned crane is often featured in myths and legends. In Taoism, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. In art and literature, immortals are usually depicted riding on cranes. A crane similarly carries off a mortal who attains immortality. The red-crowned crane is also a symbol of nobility.
I attempt to use the technique of paper quilling to create a unique image of the red-crowned crane, trying to combine the ancient atmosphere with a modern art approach.
“Aphrodite”
“Artemis”
“Persephone”
“Red-crowned Crane”
