A Solo Photography Exhibition “Rouge” By Jerry Choi: Exploring Contemporary Female Portraits Amidst Monument With Colour Of Red In The Bleezing Summer
Exhibition - Exhibition
- Wed 30-08-2023 to Fri 01-09-2023
Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery
FREE
In Cantonese and English
Synopsis
Rouge, a solo exhibition by the contemporary fashion photographer Jerry Choi, will present a series of his recent and earlier artworks with the theme of red and femininity. The exhibition will be held from August 30th to September 1st, 2023, at the Fringe Club, a Grade 1 historical building located in Central, Hong Kong. Drawing inspiration from the fashion scene, the exhibition will be divided into three parts: “Recreating a Classic”, “Between Light and Shadow”, and “Red in Rustic.” The exhibition presents the imagery of women in contemporary photography, raising critical questions about the interplay between color and gender in society.
Red, a vivid and pure hue, holds an intense and unadulterated essence. As one of the primary colors, it cannot be created through a mixture, yet it stands as the most vibrant and exhilarating presence among colors. It resides between passion and desire, as well as energy and courage. In Asian culture, red is always seen as positive, especially when it comes to women. It represents the captivating beauty of a cinnabar Mole, the alluring charm of red makeup, the solace found in wines, and the auspiciousness embodied in festive red attire. Taking inspiration from Choi's previous forays into fashion photography, his works explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, with a specific focus on the color "red." They serve as a reflection on the depiction of women within the realm of conventional visual photography. The photography locations span from the historic building of the exhibition venue, Fringe Club, to ordinary studios, capturing the diverse and individual expressions of women in today's society.
The exhibition "Rouge" is divided into three parts: "Recreating a Classic," "Between Light and Shadow," and "Red in Rustic." These segments serve as a gradual introduction to Jerry Choi's photography world. "Recreating a Classic" showcased the typical visual representations of women under the photographer's lens, accentuated by the historical architecture of the exhibition venue. Bathed in sunlight, the portraits appear as if veiled in a layer of red gossamer, evoking a sense of mystery and prompting the viewer to question what defines the concept of "typical." While they may seem ordinary at first glance, closer inspection reveals their extraordinary nature.
In the "Between Light and Shadow" section, a series of photographs taken in the studio showcase the unique compositions created by the interplay of light, shadow, and the female form. True to the photographer's style, the images are minimally processed and presented in their raw, authentic state. Accompanied by a transformed shade of "red," the contemporary photographs blur the boundaries between reality and illusion, creating a surreal atmosphere. The portraits capture a moment that is both smiling and not, appearing to engage with the viewer while also gazing ahead with a sense of simplicity. This departure from the traditional portrayal of women as solely soft and alluring imbues the images with a contemporary presence.
The final chapter of the exhibition is titled "Red in Rustic." It showcases models with albinism, positioned against a blank background to accentuate the prominence of the color "red" in the photographs. Through the photographer's distinctive perspective and the artful utilization of the models' unique attributes, the series embraces individuality and highlights the significance of the color red. The exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in the purity of colors while simultaneously challenging societal aesthetic norms, and to contemplate the concepts of beauty and visual perception.
