Exhibition Overview
Artist Wong Ka Long presents a series of works exploring the paradoxical coexistence of military and cultural symbolism through the medium of helmets.
Artistic Process & Themes
- The series begins with ceramic replicas of German army helmets, finished with glazes imitating Tang Sancai (Three-Color) pottery or decorated using decoupage techniques in the blue-and-white style of Portuguese azulejo tiles.
- The artist then collected authentic 1970s Portuguese military helmets left behind after the transfer of sovereignty in Macau. These are meticulously covered with oil paint, featuring delicate blue carnations painted on a white background.
- The works trace an evolution: from imitation and reproduction to the appropriation of Marcel Duchamp's 'ready-made' concept.
- Techniques shift from strong craft-based methods (glazing, decoupage, painting) to layered painterly applications, simultaneously pointing to the specific cultural phenomenon of military memorabilia collection.
- Symbolism evolves: from the vanished ancient civilization represented by Tang Sancai and the lost childhood symbolized by the cartoon Heidi, to the peace, fraternity, and hope embodied by the Carnation Revolution.
- The core revelation is the surprising, contradictory, yet harmonious coexistence of military and cultural elements within these complex forms.
Practical Information
- Date: October 21 – November 19, 2017
- Venue: Not specified in source data.
