Ahn Chang Hong, both in his own self and in his works, is a typical loner. Traces of wretchedness and splendour can be found alike in his paintings and the artist's obsessive interest in desertion and loneliness, alienation and anxiety, the bestiality of human character, fear and tragedy are displayed.
Read MoreThrough perverse and twisted portraits of himself and his family, Ahn has already expressed his fear of and distance from the torn-apart outside world. The fear that had made the eyes of the family members black and their mouths wide open might yet be drawing a dark shade over his soul.
This dark aspect of Ahn cannot wholly be admitted to his personal history or character. It is often interpreted that the shades in our historical life, especially our gloomy social consciousness, that carries a weight with them, are reflected in his works. His method of representation, however, is far from being true to circumstances. His inclination is more towards transforming reality into fables. In this transformation, Ahn gives a dashing display of the fundamental tragedy of human character, the never-to-be-healed distortion in human character. This is the very reason I believe Ahn Chang Hong is one artist whom we should cherish and remember.
