From an early age, Shih-Chieh Lo has been sketching alongside his father, but he has never received formal training. For this artist, who grew up in Yilan, drawing is something that comes naturally. He was exposed to art from a young age and was fortunate to have the support of his family to pursue a degree in fine arts, which led him to fully devote himself to the path of artistic creation. After graduating from graduate school, he returned to his hometown of Yilan and began teaching, in order to have more time for his own creative pursuits.
From Ink to a Colorful World
In the past decade, he had set aside the colorful world and immersed himself in the world of ink. Initially, he saw ink as a tool for outlining conceptual contours, and he became captivated by it because ink resonated with his love for tranquility. He was infatuated with ink for a decade. When he returned to the colorful world, he discovered that ink had greatly aided him. Perhaps it wasn't a complete abandonment but rather a deepening in his soul. The ink's influence unintentionally permeated his subsequent works, granting them a unique creative dimension.
In his younger years, Shih-Chieh Lo was filled with energy for creation, eager to portray everything on the canvas. Later on, he gradually realized that some things could be let go, not requiring deliberate expression or the need to depict every thought on the canvas. Recently, he has come to appreciate the joy of painting, unlike the past when seeking creative breakthroughs was often accompanied by pain due to the desire to express too much. Although his recent works may appear simple, his imagination has become more abundant and liberated.
Inspiration from Childhood Adventures
The inspiration for his creations comes from his childhood adventures. Shih-Chieh Lo transforms these adventures into characters or themes, presenting them in his works. He primarily draws inspiration from his childhood memories and experiences, perhaps due to a nostalgia for past times, as he wishes to document those beautiful memories. In those fleeting moments of reminiscence, he can't help but ponder if those memories truly existed or if he had embellished them excessively. He feels that a little girl resides within him. He was once troubled by society's inherent expectations for men, believing that men must exhibit masculinity, which seemed to be a manifestation of machismo. Hence, in his artworks, one can always find the presence of a little girl. Since he cannot express it in society, he thinks, why not showcase it in his paintings?
"Quiet, I'm Grinding Pigments"
Around seven or eight years ago, a shopping experience made him acutely aware of the exorbitant prices of art supplies in Taiwan. He was perplexed by the market mechanism and decided to explore the international market. He discovered a variety of rare materials that were unavailable in Taiwan. He began experimenting with these materials and actively purchasing rare minerals, pigments, including lapis lazuli and pure cinnabar, in order to uncover the hidden color secrets passed down through history. In his studio, he personally ground and prepared materials, brewed pigments, and documented this precious time through his blog. Ultimately, his wife reminded him not to become excessively engrossed in research; the purpose of research is to paint.
A Serene and Solitary World
Throughout Shih-Chieh Lo's growth, he often found himself in a serene and solitary world. He relied on his imagination to pass the time, searching for a space that belonged to him. Such scenes frequently appeared during his childhood years. From kindergarten to high school, he constantly changed schools, resulting in relatively shallow relationships with classmates, and the adaptation process was quite challenging. The emotions of loneliness and drifting from those times still persist, finding expression in his artworks.
The serene and solitary world has become the source of inspiration for the artist's creations. Within this tranquility, he finds himself, gains profound creative energy, and engages in a dialogue with his imagination. His paintings emit a captivating atmosphere of solitude, allowing viewers to sense a tranquil power. His works convey the beauty of a solitary world and inspire deep resonance and contemplation within the viewers' inner selves.
Shih-Chieh Lo, born in 1977 in Yilan, Taiwan, graduated from the Fine Arts at National Taichung University of Education and previously served as a lecturer at Fo Guang University. He was selected for the 2007 Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau's "Young Artists Study Abroad Program" and received the first prize in the "Yilan Award" in 2012. In early 2023, he will hold a joint exhibition with his father at the Yilan County Cultural Affairs Bureau.
More works: www.yicollecta.com/en/collections/77
