Canal Cheong Jagerroos, is a Macau Chinese artist who, together with her Finnish husband, has spent the last 20 years travelling the world and living in such places as Hong Kong, Shanghai, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Africa. In 2005, they settled in Finland with their two children, where she continues to work on her artistic projects, which always tend to embrace the local cultural influences of wherever she is living.
“I am used to different cultural landscapes and it is these differences that stimulate my creativity and bring positive and profound impacts,” says Canal. “Each new destination stimulates my energy and concentration in exploring a new realm of art. Experiencing foreign culture is one of the necessary nutrients to my creativity.”
At the same time, Canal has still maintained a strong connection to her Chinese heritage, a fact that is evident in many of her works.
“Whichever corner of the world I go to, there is an undiminishing line that connects me to my roots, my spirit, an intangible belief and the source of life,” she explains. “Being in a foreign country, I have an eagerness to tell others about Chinese culture, and this is the origin of my enthusiasm in my creative works”.
Canal remembers being touched by the elegance of Chinese Fine Arts when she was young, and acknowledges that this is still a strong source of inspiration for many of her works.
“It is elegant and romantic, deliberate and full of splendor. It reflects thousands of years of civilization and comprises vibrant and wonderful colors. I have great passion for it, so I incorporate myself, Chinese Fine Arts and my experience in foreign cultures, combined with different materials and the application of modern artistic techniques – this is basically the formation of my artistic style as I pursue the beauty of harmony,” notes Canal.
Her creative techniques involve using multiple layers of rice paper, acrylic, ink, and traditional Chinese pigments, which are incorporated together using mixed medium to derive a sense of depth on canvas.
In 2013, her unique artistic style was recognized when her collection ‘Time.Space.Existence’ was selected to be displayed at the 55th Venice Biennale.
“I felt extremely honoured that my work was chosen, and the experience of having it displayed together with extraordinary internationally-renowned artists was particularly precious. The experience opened a new chapter in my life and in my artistic pursuit.”
Now Canal is presenting her new solo exhibition ‘Pure Affection’ in the Rui Cunha Foundation Gallery, reflecting on the impact of technology on our relationships.
“Nowadays, there is a phenomenon that we, especially the younger generation, are dominated by technology and electronic devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. We need these gadgets to link with people to express our emotional connections with them. My idea was to explore the mentality of the younger generation, to express the sense of emptiness and void in society that comes from this dependence on technology,” explains the artist.
And after so many years away, Canal is happy to exhibit her work in her hometown.
“I am proud to be a Macau Chinese and I am very excited and thrilled that I will have an exhibition in Macau. I think Macau’s art scene is like its social economic development: vibrant and prosperous!
PURE AFFECTION
21 / 02 – 21 / 03 / 2014
Rui Cunha Foundation
Avenida da Praia Grande nº 749 r/c
(853) 2892 3288
www.ruicunha.org/frc/