2017.12.7-12.10 ｜ART KAOHSIUNG 2017-The Holy Family

Artists

Cen Long
Roman Nogin
Natasha Perekhodenko
Volodymyr Nosan

Info

Overview

What is a family?
It is a place saturated with love. It is a place without loneliness or isolation. Everyone is embraced, supported, and encouraged.

A family, is the most important support one has in life.
The “Holy Family” is a theme explored regularly during the Renaissance. The innocent and endearing image of the Holy Mother and Christ is emblematic of the teachings of the Bible and also matches the societal ideal of a well-balanced and loving family. Hence, these paintings often incorporate circles and arcs in their compositions to signify balance, perfection, and happiness. Amongst such works, the most iconic work is certainly Michelangelo’s Holy Family.

So, what does Cen Long intend by his “Holy Family”?

One theme that threads together Cen Long’s painting has been the depiction of common, loving families and the mutually supporting relationship between animals and human. Cen Long’s Holy Family then includes all existences on earth, such as the lives of all kind and peaceful humans and animals. Generations after generations, we have different eras of lives and men. Cen Long respects all forms and approaches of life, so he uses the highly symbolic expression of the holy family as a grand metonymy.

Cen Long’s artwork are powerful in their spiritual content. Beneath his more down-to-earth expressions, one can sense intense motions similar to religious preachings. This motion radiates from within his works and inflame the emotions of the viewers. After numerous episodes of suffering and disappointments, he has realized the truth: he wants to use the love of humanity, as the torch that lights the fires of hope and warms this world and his own heart, repeatedly and without ever giving up. This is why his work sends the message of love, hope, and the ultimate ideal of peace. He believes that these spiritual powers can cross the boarders of the physical world and bring together souls by extinguishing the pale flames of loneliness and rekindle faith in life.

Cen Long once said, “God told us to love our brothers. I can see the holy aura of the concept of holy family in all beings that respect and realize kindness in their lives. It can be recognized in people beyond race, birth, geographic and even, religion. This understanding is why my recent series is titled ‘Holy Family’.”