Van Gogh vs. Takashi Murakami (Detail)

Digital photograph mosaic on canvas (2008)

 

101 cm X 90 cm Limited edition prints (16 + 2 AP)

 

Picture elements taken from the works of contemporary Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, are ingeniously arranged to form Vincent Van Gogh's famous self portrait in a digital art format.

 

The layered sense of depth to the work really comes to life on canvas as compared to the on-screen image.

 

A central motivation behind Wang Lang's art is to challenge the viewer's conceptions of reality. We generally perceive reality as solid and static when, in fact, instantaneous reality is dynamic, flowing and empty. Murakami's colourful, ornate and cartoon-like creations are a product of his vivid imagination, just as Van Gogh's unique vision of the world informed his approach to realism and impressionism.

 

From a Buddhist perspective, they are equally valid as representations of so-called reality, since our mundane perception of reality is but an illusion. Imagination and ideas are intangible and illusory, yet they frame, construct and even shape our reality.

 

Site Curator,

Chris Harry

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