Kristy M Chan: Binge

The Artist Room and Simon Lee Gallery are delighted to announce a collaborative solo exhibition of new paintings by Kristy M Chan (b. 1997, Hong Kong). On view from 12 October – 12 November 2022, Binge will take place across both galleries’ locations.

Assertive and dynamic, the nine new paintings in this exhibition continue Chan’s investigation into the relationship between one’s surroundings and selfhood, with a particular focus on overindulgence. Several of the works on view, including Comedown from wind chimes, attempt to process the way boundaries can dissolve in intense relationships, often resulting in excessive amounts of time spent with one person. In this work, icy blue and pale pink colour fields open the painting up, yet a cluster of erratic brushstrokes at the top left of the picture plane disrupt this harmony, transforming it into a visceral, dizzying vista that works to visualise an emotional binge. Other works in the exhibition reference everyday excess more literally – Things left behind can burn so bright was inspired by and takes its title from a line in Undone, an animated comedy drama TV series that the artist binged over the summer.

Whilst previous works saw the artist traverse figuration and abstraction, the works in Binge abandon figuration in favour of a raw and deep exploration of depth, light, space and colour. Working predominately with oil and oil stick Chan’s painting process, particularly her approach to colour, is deeply instinctive. She compares the process of juxtaposing tones and textures as similar to the Japanese flower-arranging process Ikebana; which promotes the concept of negative space as of equal importance as positive space. These new paintings have also been informed by German Expressionism which emphasised the importance of finding inspiration through feelings or ideas over replicating reality, while taking fascination with the conflicted experiences of modern urban life. ‘I look at German painters a lot,’ Chan notes, with reference to Comedown from wind chimes and Everything is louder when you’re looking for silence, both created in 2022 and featured in the exhibition.

Milo Astaire, Founder of The Artist Room, says:

The Artist Room is delighted to partner with Simon Lee Gallery on our second solo exhibition with Kristy M Chan. In recent years, there has been an acceleration toward collaboration in the creative industries and we hope this exhibition sets a precedent for emerging artists and galleries to work alongside the guidance of established gallerists such as Simon Lee. Chan’s unique and energetic approach to abstraction has moved from strength to strength with international solo exhibitions, residencies, and placement in museum collections. This exhibition promises to be an exciting show bridging two important and distinctive art destinations in London: Mayfair and Soho. Bringing together audiences from each gallery’s network, this show marks a unique opportunity for visitors to discover Kristy’s remarkable work.

Simon Lee says, Founder of Simon Lee Gallery, says:

We are extremely excited to be collaborating with The Artist Room to present new works by Kristy M Chan. Building relationships between long-established and young galleries has proven to be a fruitful way of giving artists an international platform. There is a strong connection between Simon Lee Gallery and Chan, both being based between London and Hong Kong. Chan’s search of ‘finding home’ in her paintings, while moving between different geographies is something that is very relevant in our industry during the 21st century where the art world community is more global than ever.